Memoirs of the life and writings of John Calvin; printed from the last London ed. with additions

Front matter

D. HOGAN,

PHILADELPHIA, Intends shortly to issue Proposals for Publishing

THE LIFE

Preface

THE great importance of Biography, as a medium of public instruction, appears to be very generally admitted. Curiosity, a principle of active and extended influence, ever in quest of gratification, cannot be too early supplied with interesting and instructive objects, by an acquaintance with which intellectual attainments and moral improvement may be happily promoted. To render Bioraphy conducive to these ends, it is obviously necessary, that genuine and attainable excellence of character be carefully attended to in the selection of subjects; as the exhibition of spurious morality, or unattainable perfection, must necessarily defeat the moral effect of the most alluring narrative. Excellence of character, arising from a great variety of causes, must be estimated chiefly by its moral influence ; and it is principally under this view, that the enlightened biographer will choose to viii

PREFACE, portray the subjects of his history. As genuine religion forms the basis of public morality, as well as of private virtue, it is certain that national prosperity and individual happiness must be wholly indebted for their maturity to such an association. To expect elevation of character, either national or individual, upon any other principle, is to seek (in the expressive language of the highest authority) to " gather grapes of thorns, and figs of thistles."

How far these views of biography are just in themselves, or have been illustrated in the following Work, it is not for the author to determine. The great variety of opinion existing on the character and sentiments of the subject of these Memoirs, renders an attempt to illustrate them compatible, at least, with the general ends of Biography. Entertaining the highest veneration for the character which he has attempted to portray, the author has aimed at clearing it from those aspersions, which have their foundation in ignorance and malevolence alone.

While he has thus been anxious to vindicate an injured name, it will, he trusts, be apparent, that he has not been influenced by blind partiality or sectarian zeal. So far as he is

PREFACE.

ix acquainted with his own motives, he feels no hesitation in avowing, that they are such as he wishes to carry with him, unaltered, to the grave. If an attempt to rescue a great character from the fangs of calumny, and to vindicate the doctrines of the glorious Reformation, should expose the author to the shafts of opprobrious censure, he will be abundantly compensated by the verdict of an approving conscience, and the sanction of discriminating readers.

When it is considered that the public is not in possession of any detached life of Calvin, in English, there can be no doubt but that such a work, executed with care and impartiality, must be considered a desideratum in Evangelical Biography.

With respect to the arrangement of the several parts, the author has adopted that which appeared to him, upon the whole, the most eligible.

It will be sufficiently obvious to every intelligent reader, that the materials for the Work have been derived from the most authentic sources, most of which are acknowledged. In addition to the Narrative of Beza, the author has to confess considerable obligations to a living author, Monsieur J. Senebier, of

X PREFACE*

whose excellent work, entitled, " Histoire Litteraire de Geneve," he has made considerable use.

Confident that the general principles maintained in the following pages require no apology, the author commends them to HIS blessing, whose glory they are intended to promote, and who alone can render them really and extensively useful.

J. M.

contents

Page

Sketch of the Reformation 13

Chap. I. Memoirs Of The Life Of Calvin"

Introductory. — Account of Geneva 43

Birth and Education of Calvin — His Application to the Study of the Law — Reasons for quitting that Profession —Publication of his Institutes — Journey to Italy - - - 52

Chap. 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 65

CHAP. IH.

An Examination of the Reformers Conduct in the affair of Servetus 110

Chap. IV

Calvin's Intrepidity in refusing the Sacrament to Bertelier — Persecution of Farel — Calvin's Behaviour to the Persecuted Protestants — Character of Gentilis — Reflections on Intolerance — Calvin the means of founding a College - 128 xii

Chap. V

Calvin presented with the Freedom of the City of Geneva — Revises and Republishes his Institutes in Latin and in French— Replies to several Heretics — Though greatly afflicted by Disease, is unremitting in his Exertions — Is carried to the Church and receives the Sacrament from the Hands of Beza ------ - 142

Chap. VI

Calvin's Will — His Farewell Address to the Syndics — His Composure in the Prospect of Death — His Death — Burial — Epigram, and Character 151

Chap. VII. The Writings Of Calvin

Character of Calvin as an Author and Commentator — Testimonies to his Excellence from Papists and Protestants — Account of his Christian Institutes ; with Extracts on some important points of Doctrine 194

A

BRIEF SKETCH l&tetotrs of ttit XUformatfon*

SKETCH

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TO those persons who are adequately impressed with the advantages resulting from the glorious Reformation, a brief sketch of its history will not fail to prove interesting. Nor will the lessons of practical wisdom, which such a subject affords, be overlooked by the intelligent Reader, who will so distinguish principles, and discriminate character, as to derive ample improvement from the varied scene which may pass in review before him.

Dark and dreary as was the night of superstition, during which luxurious priests revelled in wanton profligacy, its termination, decreed by Infinite Goodness, slumbered not. The means by which the reign of spiritual tyranny was to be overthrown, did not indeed form the subject of prophecy; nor could the most penetrating mind have developed their certain issue. The indignation of individuals, excited by particular abuses, appears, however, to have proved essentially useful in demolishing the hoary pile of corruption, as in the instances of WicklifFe, and of Luther in particular. Disgusted with the shameless profligacy of the Mendicant orders, and with the conduct of the Popes their patrons, WicklifFe threw off all restraint, and, despising the superstition of the times, exhorted the laity to study the Scriptures, which he translated into English.

Persecution against reputed heretics now raged with tremendous fury. John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, men of exalted piety and considerable distinction in Bohemia, had made themselves many enemies among the clergy, by their disinterested and spirited remonstrances. Huss, in particular, had exasperated the See of Rome, by his attempts to detach the university of Prague from the papal jurisdiction of Gregory XII. Summoned to appear before the Council of Constance, and furnished with a safe-conduct from the Emperor Sigismund, the process against him was precipitated with all the ardour of ecclesiastical zeal. On the 6th day of July, 1415, he was led to the fatal pile, where he suffered death with an heroic constancy worthy of the cause which he had espoused,

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Prompted by a generous solicitude to support his persecuted friend, Jerome hastened to the Council. Terrified, however, by the prospect of a cruel death, he was induced to make some concessions ; but soon recovering his fortitude, he professed anew the opinions which he had for a moment abandoned, and illustrated their sublime efficacy in the flames, in which he expired on the 30th of May, 1416.

The principles of these heroic men, immortal as their spirits, survived the flames which had destroyed their bodies; nor was the cry from under the altar unheard. Their blood proved indeed " the seed of the church," and produced the fruits of which Britons now so richly partake.

The dawn of the sixteenth century, serene and mild, predicted a day of tranquillity ; nor had the Roman pontiffs, apparently, any cause to apprehend those storms which were about to burst upon them. The Waldenses, Albigenses, and Beghards, together with the Bohemians, were " vanquished, though unsubdued." The strong man armed kept his goods in peace, Utile suspecting that a stronger than he was about to dispossess him. The causes, however, which contributed to the overthrow of Anti-christ, were various aud irresistible. Amongst these, the revival of learning in Europe, 2* and the sudden appearance of a number of men of genius, served like so many constellations to cheer and illuminate the night of ignorance and of superstition. The Colloquies of Erasmus in particular, as they contained a great deal of pungent satire against the Monks, excited their warmest indignation, and induced them to say that " Erasmus laid the egg, which Luther hatched." The operation of learning in counteracting abuses sanctioned by antiquity, was, however, very gradual; as it had to contend not only with the ignorance which identifies the utility of a custom with its antiquity, and thus consecrates abuses ; but also with a legislative authority, ever upon the alert against every thing exploded under the name of innovation, possessed also of affluence to bribe, and power to punish.

Julius II. dying in the year 1512, he was succeeded, in 1513, by Leo X. of the family de Medici. Leo, though of a milder disposition than his predecessor, was equally indifferent about the interests of real religion. A man of letters, and a man of pleasure, his time was divided between conversation with men of letters and pleasure, though the latter engrossed by far the larger proportion. He was remarkable for prodigality, luxury, and imprudence; nor has this holy father escaped the

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charge of impiety and atheism. He is not, however, to be accused of neglecting the object so dear to all his predecessors, — that of aggrandizing the Holy See. He took, therefore, the utmost care that nothing should be transacted in the Council of the Lateran, which Julius left sitting, that had the remotest tendency to the reformation of the church. He went indeed still farther; and in a conference with Francis 1. King of France, at Bologna, engaged that monarch to abrogate the Pragmatic Sanction, and to substitute another body of laws, under the title of the Concordate, which was received by his subjects with the utmost indignation and reluctance.

To those who are acquainted with the entire influence of superstition over the minds which it once pervades, and the ingenious policy of interested priests in supporting and propagating it, the overthrow of the papal hierarchy, and the establishment of principles of the most contrary genius, effected without the intervention of external violence, must appear to be the result of a presiding Providence, which frequently illustrates its potent energy, in accomplishing events the most important, by the agency of means the most apparently inadequate. So degraded indeed was Christianity at this period, that, though the reformers pretended to no miraculous assistance, it is evident that the same hand which first planted Christianity, superintended the reformed faith from its early rise to its perfect maturity.

Immense as were the revenues of the pontificate, the prodigality, luxury, and magnificence of Leo, exhausted the coffers of the church. Money being indispensable to the voluptuous state and splendid projects of the pontiff, recourse was had to the never-failing expedient of a sale of indulgences, or remittances from the pains of purgatory.* The right of promulgating these indulgences in Germany, as well as a share of the profits arising from them, was

* According to the doctrine of the Romish church, all the good works of the Saints, over and above those which were necessary towards their own justification, are deposited, together with the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, in one inexhaustible treasury. • The keys of this were committed to Saint Peter, and to his successors the Popes, who may open it at pleasure; and, by transferring a portion of this superabundant merit to any particular person, for a sum of money, may convey to him either the pardon of his own sins, or a release for any one, in whose happiness he is interested, from the pains of purgatory. Julius II. had bestowed indulgences on all who contributed towards building the church of Saint Peter at Rome; and as Leo was carrying on that magnificent and expensive fabric, his grant was founded on the same pretence." See Robertson's Hist, of Charles V. vol. II. p. 106.

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granted to Albert, Archbishop of Magdeburg, who employed a Dominican, of the name of John Tetzel, to proclaim in Germany the remission of all sins, past, present, and to come, to those who were rich enough to purchase those famous privileges. Assisted by the Monks of his order, Tetzel executed his commission with more zeal than discretion; though, by disposing of the indulgences at a low price, they carried on a lucrative trade amongst those who possessed more money than understanding. The princes and nobles felt indignant at this method of draining the wealth of their vassals in order to replenish the treasury of an extravagant pontiff. Even the common people were shocked at the behaviour of Tetzel and his associates, who consumed in drunkenness and debauchery those sums which ignorance had appropriated to the purchase of eternal happiness.

An obscure Monk at Wittemberg, disgusted with the pretensions and conduct of Tetzel, formed the resolution of checking his career. Martin Luther, a name for ever to be revered by every protestant, challenged Tetzel, in ninety-five propositions, to defend himself and his pontifical employers, whom he censured as accomplices in these impositions on the people. Tetzel appeared immediately in the field, and attempted to refute Luther's propositions in two academical discourses, which he delivered on occasion of his promotion to the degree of doctor in divinity.

Leo X. who at first beheld this controversy with indifference, was at length roused by the Emperor Maximilian I. who informed him what fatal divisions it was likely to produce in Germany. Acting upon this information, he summoned Luther to appear before him at Rome, and there to plead the cause which he had undertaken to support. This summons, the effects of which, had it been complied with, it is not difficult to calculate, was super^ seded by the cautious policy of Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, who asserted that the cause of Luther belonged to a German tribunal, and ought to be decided by the ecclesiastical laws of the empire. The pontiff, in compliance with the wishes of Frederick, ordered Luther to justify his conduct before Cardinal Cajetan, his legate, at the diet of Augsburg. A more imprudent step could not have been taken by the court of Rome, as Cajetan, being a Dominican, and the friend of Tetzel, was of all others the most unlikely to bring the controversy to a favourable issue.

Luther, however, obedient to the pontiff's summons, repaired to Augsburgh, where he had three interviews with the legate, who assumed so high a

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tone, as to produce in the mind and conduct of the reformer, only disgust and indignation. Under the influence of these feelings, Luther departed suddenly from Augsburg, having appealed from the present decisions of the pontiff, to those which he should form when better instructed.

Mortified by the total failure of Cajetan's commission, Leo appointed a new legate. This person was Charles Miltitz, a Saxon knight belonging to his court. Eminent for prudence, penetration, and address, he was admirably qualified for the management of so critical a commission. With the intention of securing the influence of Frederick, Leo despatched Miltitz into Saxony with the golden consecrated rose, (the highest mark of distinction which the pontiffs were used to bestow upon their favourite princes,) and instructed him to compose the differences between Luther and Tetzel, and to effect a reconciliation between him and the court of Rome. The legate, in his first conference with Luther, succeeded so far as to persuade him to write a submissive letter to Leo, in which he promised to observe a profound silence with reference to the subjects in debate, on the condition that the same obligation should be imposed upon his adversaries. A second conference took place in the castle of Liebenwerd, and a third the year following, at

Litchtenberg. From the moderation which prevailed on these occasions, great hopes were entertained of an amicable adjustment of the differences in discussion. But the imprudent arrogance of the court of Rome blasted these fair blossoms, and renewed the controversy with increased asperity.

A public dispute, which took place at this time between Eckius, a zealous champion in the papal cause, and Carlostadt, a convert to the sentiments of Luther, proved eminently serviceable. The controversy itself turned upon the powers and freedom of the human will; and was followed by another between Luther and Eckius, concerning the authority and supremacy of the Roman pontiff. One of the effects (not unfrequently the result of disputation) was an increase of bitterness on the part of Eckius, who from that period meditated the destruction of Luther.

Among the spectators of this ecclesiastical combat, was Philip Melancthon, professor of Greek at Wittemberg, an intimate friend of Luther, as well as a promoter of his views. To the learning and influence of Melancthon, the Reformation must be allowed to be considerably indebted ; though it is equally certain that the natural timidity of his disposition, and his excessive veneration for the great, prevented his improving that influence to its proper extent.

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While the cause of Anti-christ was thus visibly on the decline in Germany, it received a mortal wound in Switzerland from Ulrich Zuingle, a canon of Zurich, a man who united, with an extensive fund of learning, a spirit truly heroic. Disgusted by the sale of indulgences, entrusted to the ministry of an Italian Monk, whose name was Samson, he commenced a resolute opposition against him, attended with considerable success. The effect of his exertions was so great as to discredit the Pope's supremacy throughout the greater part of Switzerland.

The cause of the Reformation was still farther promoted by an imprudent step which Leo X. at the instigation of the Dominicans, was induced to take. Overcome by their importunity, he issued out a bull against -Luther, dated the 15th of June, 1520, in which forty-one pretended heresies, extracted from his writings, were solemnly condemned; and he was required within sixty days to retract his errors, and to solicit mercy from the offended pontiff, on pain of excommunication.

Foreseeing the inevitable effect of this rash measure, Luther prudently withdrew from the communion of the church which he had long considered as essentially corrupt and erroneous, and, by putting the church of Rome out of his communion, de- 3 prived the pontiff's subsequent excommunication of all force and meaning. In the presence of an immense multitude of people of all ranks, he committed to the flames both the bull that had been issued against him, and the decretals and canons relating to the Pope's absolute jurisdiction. In about a month after this magnanimous step had been taken by the Saxon reformer, a second bull was issued out against him, by which he was expelled from the communion of the church, for having insulted the majesty of the Roman pontiff.* The death of Maximilian I. making way for his grandson Charles V. to succeed him in the empire, Leo X. urged upon him the necessity of punishing Luther in the most exemplary manner, while Frederick the Wise employed his influence with Charles to shield him against the thunder of the Vatican. Indebted to the exertions of Frederick for his elevation to the empire, Charles had gratitude enough to satisfy the elector's demands. He resolved, therefore, that Luther should appear before a diet to be assembled at Worms, in order to secure him a public hearing, before any urgent steps were taken against him. The conduct of Luther before this assembly was marked with equal modesty and firm-

* See Mosheim's Eccl. Hist. Cent. xvi. sect. i. p. 322.

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ness. On his return from Worms, lie was surprised by some emissaries of the elector, disguised in masks, who conveyed him to the castle of Wartenburg, where he employed his involuntary leisure in composing works, which contributed greatly to the mccess of the cause in which he had embarked.

The death of Leo occurring at this period, he was succeeded in the pontificate by Adrian VI. a native of Utrecht. Adrian, it appears, was possessed of more honesty than was consistent with the policy of that age ; and was therefore warmly censured for his concessions on the subject of the corruptions of the church. Dying, however, in the course of a year, he was succeeded by Clement VII. a man as remarkable for a reserved character as Adrian had been for his frankness. The success of Luther, rapidly progressive, excited the attention of almost every nation, while it prompted to that freedom of investigation, which is the best friend of truth. The divisions which, however, crept in among the reformers on the subject of the manner in which the body and blood of Christ were present in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, by diverting their energy from their original object, proved productive of the most unfavourable effects.

Finding that Luther gained continual and important accessions of strength, the Papists turned their attention to a species of warfare^ upon which they placed more dependance than upon that of argument; and intimated their intention of making war upon the Lutheran party. But this malicious purpose was providentially defeated by the existing troubles of Europe. The results of the diet assembled at Spire, proved much more favourable to the friends of the Reformation; the German princes refusing to execute the sentence that had been pronounced at Worms against Luther and his followers.

But the advantages resulting from the first diet of Spire were very limited in their duration, as, in a new diet assembled in the year 1529, in the same place, every change in the doctrine, discipline, or worship of the church of Rome, was declared unlawful, until a general council should be assembled for the purpose of adjusting the disputed points. This decree being considered intolerable by the Elector of Saxony, the Landgrave of Hesse, and the other members of the diet who favoured the Reformation, they entered a solemn protest against it on the 19th of April, and appealed to a future council. From this circumstance arose the denomination of Protestants, which has ever since been given to those who renounce the communion of the church of Rome.

An attempt to bring to a termination the disputes

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which had produced such divisions in the empire, was now made by Charles, who was returning to Germany with the intention of being present at the approaching diet at Augsburg. As the emperor remained hitherto uninformed with reference to the peculiar sentiments of the reformers, the Elector of Saxony ordered Luther and his friends to commit to writing the principal articles of their religious system,and the grounds of their dissent from the church of Rome. Luther, therefore, delivered to the Elector of Torgaw seventeen articles, which were afterwards called the Articles of Torgaw. These articles were extended by Melancthon in a manner which illustrated the elegance and perspicuity of his mind ; and afterwards formed the Confession of Augsburg.

The alarm which Clement VII. expressed with reference to the spread of the Lutheran tenets, was by no means unfounded, as some of the most considerable provinces in Europe had cast oft' the Roman yoke. Soon after Luther's rupture with Rome, one of his disciples, whose name was Olaus Petri, proclaimed religious liberty in Sweden. The exertions of this missionary were powerfully seconded by Gustavus Vasa Eriscon, a prince of extraordinary public spirit. In the year 1527, the reformed religion obtained at once a complete triumph, and a permanent establishment.

3*

Denmark, also, received the light of the Refofmation so early as the year 1521. For this advantage it appears to have been indebted to Christian, or Christiern II. who expressed an earnest desire to have his subjects instructed in the principles of Luther. His sole object, however, in favouring the principles of the Reformation, was the gratification of his ambition in destroying the influence of Rome m his dominions, and rendering himself supreme in church and state. Upon the deposition of Christiern, the cause of the Reformation found a more enlightened friend in the person of his uncle Frederick, Duke of Holstein and Sleswick, who was placed on the throne of Denmark. The glorious work of effectually destroying superstition, was however reserved for Christiern III. a prince of distinguished piety and prudence.

In the kingdom of France, the Reformation dawned auspiciously under the patronage of Margaret, Queen of Navarre, sister to Francis I. the formidable rival of Charles V. The situation of the friends of the Reformation was, however, extremely precarious: sometimes reposing in the shade of royal protection, at others exposed to the scorching rays of persecution, they had nothing to confide in but their principles, which, however* yielded them solace and support.

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About this time the famous Calvin, whose life will form the principal subject of the following pages, began to excite the attention of the public, and to attract the favourable notice of the Queen of Navarre. His zeal exposed him to various perils, from which he was rescued by the good offices of his illustrious friend, the Queen of Navarre. With the intention of digesting and elucidating the principles of the friends of the Reformation, he published his Christian Institutions, to which he prefixed that famous dedication to Francis I. the object of which was to soften the rigour of that prince against his Protestant subjects.

Charles V. having arrived at Augsburg on the 15th of June, 1530, the diet was opened with great solemnity on the 20th day of the same month. On the 25th of June, Christian Bayer, Chancellor of Saxony, read, in presence of the emperor and the princes assembled, the celebrated Confession, which has since been distinguished by the denomination of the Augsburg Confession. The creatures of the Roman pontiff, who were present, employed John Faber, afterwards Bishop of Vienne, to compose a refutation of the Confession. The arguments employed by Faber were soon refuted in the most satisfactory manner by Melancthon, who afterwards extended his answer, and in the year 1531, published it under the title of A Defence of the Confession of Augsburg.

A severe decree being issued out against the Protestants on the 19th day of November, by the express order of the emperor, the Elector of Saxony and the confederate princes formed an alliance at Smalcald, for the purpose of defending themselves vigorously against the encroachments of Rome. Into this confederacy they invited the kings of England, France, and Denmark, with several other states and republics.

Two remarkable events, which occurred at this period, produced respectively the most important results, with reference to the Reformation. In the year 1533, a certain number of Anabaptists settled at Munster, a city in Westphalia, where, under the pretext of being invested with a divine commission, they attempted to lay the foundations of a new government, or a holy and spiritual empire. Having succeeded in overturning all the political institutions in Munster, they proceeded to erect a new republic, the administration of which they committed to John Bockholt, a tailor, and a native of Leyden. Their triumph, like that of the wicked in general, was short: for in the year 1535, the city was besieged and taken by the Bishop of Munster ; when this fanatical king, and his associates, were put to death in

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the most ignominious manner. While it is impossible to contemplate the conduct of these fanatics, without feeling the glow of indignation, it is important to guard against a disposition to transfer our disgust to those who are distinguished by the same denomination in the present day. Justice, however, requires us to confess, that they are as far removed from every thing offensive in the conduct of the fanatics of Minister, as they are agreed with them on the article of baptism. It would indeed be equally just to reproach the present Americans, on the ground of the character and circumstances of their remote ancestors.

The cause of the Reformation received, upon the whole, a considerable accession of strength from the ambiguous support of Henry VIII. King of England, who was the principal agent in delivering his dominions from papal jurisdiction. Professing to entertain some scruples on the subject of his marriage with Catharine of Arragon, aunt to Charles V. and being really enamoured of an illustrious virgin whose name was Anna Boleyn, he earnestly sought a divorce from the former, in order to render legitimate his passion for the latter. With this view he applied to Clement VII. alleging Conscientious scruples as the ground of his wish to obtain a divorce. Clement^ perplexed between the fear of offending the emperor by conforming to Henry's wishes, and the dread of incurring that monarch's displeasure by refusing to comply with them, had recourse to procrastinating evasions, as the only method of conduct which he could pursue with safety. Tired with the tardy measures of the Roman pontiff, Henry had recourse to a measure suggested by the famous Thomas Cranmer, a secret friend of Luther and his cause, who was afterwards raised to the See of Canterbury. The advice of Cranmer was, to demand the opinions of the most learned universities in Europe, on the subject of Henry's scruples. The greatest part of the universities declared the marriage with a brother's widow unlawful. Catharine was divorced, and Anna conducted to the royal bed. Henry, renouncing the jurisdiction of the court of Rome, was declared by the parliament and people, Supreme Head, on earth, of the Church of England ; and the power and authority of the Pope were completely overturned. It deserves, however, to be carefully considered, that while Henry withdrew himself from the tyranny of Rome, he considered the title of Head of the English Church as vesting virtually in himself the enormous power which had been previously exercised by the Roman pontiffs. Hence, during the reign of this