unction, as frivolous and unscriptural ceremonies; considers the reasons alleged by many for their languor and tardiness; advises, that political reasoning be regarded in secular concerns, but rejected as soon as the salvation of souls is at stake; and bitterly inveighs against the impiety, swearing, drunkenness, and uncleanness, which had grown to such a height in England, beseeching him to use the power with which he was invested for the restraining such great evils, and praying the Almighty to qualify him for the discharge of his high office by the gift of the Holy Spirit *. So far from endeavouring to excite division among the English Reformers, according to the representation of certain writers, Calvin discovered his desire of peace in the whole of his epistolary intercourse with the Protector and the Primate. He professed, in a letter to the latter, that he would cross ten seas with cheerfulness for the good of Christendom, or of the Church of England alone, but laments his inability, commending the cause to God: and Strype assures us, that in consequence of the satisfaction experienced on the Continent, on account of the Reformation in England under Edward VI., Calvin, Bullinger, and others, "in a letter to the King, offered to make him their defender, and to have bishops in their churches, as there were in England; with a tender of their service to assist and unite together." Some time after, in the reign of Elizabeth, he wrote to Archbishop Parker, desiring him "to prevail with her Majesty to summon a general assembly of all the Protestant clergy, wheresoever dispersed; and that a set form and method might be established, not only in her dominions, but also among all the reformed and evan

*Calvini Epp. fol. 39.-Strype's Cranmer, p. 413.

gelical churches abroad." On the subject of church government he says; "Let them give us such an hierarchy, in which bishops may be so above the rest, as they refuse not to be under Christ, and depend upon him as their only head; "that they maintain a brotherly society, &c. If there be any that do not behave themselves with all reverence and obedience towards them, there is no anathema but I confess them worthy of it."

Our Reformer was cheered by visits from Farel and Viret, who assisted him in his endeavours to stem the insurrectionary torrent which again threatened the city, warning the Senate of its danger. Calvin declared his willingness to release Perrin, if he and his party would engage to conduct themselves as peaceable citizens. On these conditions he was restored to the magistracy; but the more prudent apprehended evil consequences. Viret's servant, receiving a letter from Calvin for his master, carried it to the Syndics, who opened it, and found some passages written in the confidence of friendship, which those who were already inimical easily converted to his prejudice, especially where he tells his correspondent, that "the Genevese would govern without God, and that he had to deal with hypocrites." They sent for him to explain these expressions; when he justified his language by mentioning instances of persons who were suffered to scoff at the word of God, and to slight the instructions of the pastors. Calvin accompanied Farel to Zurich, where they attended a Synod of the Swiss and Grison churches, to compose some differences on the subject of the Lord's Supper; and the effect of this conference was increased harmony among the Helvetic Protestants.

In 1550, the Consistory of Geneva resolved that the ministers should not confine their instruc

tions to public preaching; but at stated seasons should visit families from house to house, attended by an elder, requiring from individuals an account of their faith; which was followed by a decree for the abolition of holidays. These regulations enraged the Perrinites, who treated the pastors with fresh indignities. They jostled Calvin on his return from worship, and gave his name to their dogs to show their contempt of his person. One evening, they were scarcely restrained from throwing an excellent minister, named Raymond, into the river. Jerome Bolsec, a designing character, took advantage of these symptoms of unpopularity, to preach against the doctrines maintained by the ministers. This man had been a Parisian Carmelite, who had laid aside the habit, and came to Geneva to practise as a physician; but not succeeding in his new profession, he aimed to establish his credit as a divine, by haranguing against predestination. Calvin mildly remonstrated with him, but without effect; for on the 16th of October, he took occasion, in preaching from John, viii. 47, "He that is of God, heareth God's words; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God," so completely to pervert the sense of the text, as to declaim on the absurdity of believing that man was destitute of free-will, and that predestination was irrespective of works foreseen; " charging Calvin with making God the author of sin, and by that means contributing to the condemnation of the wicked; as if God had been a Jupiter or a tyant; alleging farther, that St. Augustine was forcibly drawn in to be a patron of this doctrine, though he was not of that opinion, of which he warned them to take heed, as it was a new and dangerous tenet, introduced by Laurentius Valla."

The preacher had proceeded in his discourse the more boldly,

from missing Calvin in his accustomed seat in the church; but how was he chagrined at beholding the Reformer (who had mixed with the crowd, having arrived after the commencement of the discourse,) rise up, and with calm dignity address the assembly for an hour, replying to every argument in succession! He assumed, however, an appearance of great effrontery, while Calvin cited so many passages from Scripture, and quoted so many sentiments from Augustine's writings in favour of the impugned doctrine, as to excite the admiration of all who heard him, concluding with this keen ejaculation, "Would to God that he who hath so much cited St. Augustine, had seen more of him than his covering!" The ex-Carmelite, proved thus a tyro in divinity as an empyric in physic, was seized by an indignant magistrate, and committed to prison as a seditious offender. He was afterwards brought to trial; when the Senate, having requested the judgment of the Helvetic churches, condemned him for sedition and Pelagianisin, and ordered him to be banished from the city and its jurisdiction.

Bolsec retired to a neighbouring town, where he caused great disturbances; and having been twice driven from the canton of Berne, he went to Paris and Orleans, seeking the charge of the ministry among the reformed, affecting repentance for his conduct at Geneva, and expressing a desire of reconciliation. But, fearing the persecution raised against Protestantism, he returned to the Popish profession, resumed the study of medicine, became a gross railer against the reformed doctrines, and abandoned the wife whom he had married as a Protestant, to the Canons of Autun. The Consistory of Geneva, in a public meeting, asserted the doctrine of predestination, and bore their testimony to a treatise composed by Calvin on

the mysterious questions connected with that article of Christian faith. Philibert Berthelier, registrar of the lower court of justice, having been forbidden the sacrament for viciousness of life, applied for relief to the Senate; but Calvin put in a caveat against the appeal, on the ground, that the civil magistrate ought to defend the ecclesiastical constitution, and not oppose the measures of the Presbytery. A party in the Council of Two Hundred, jealous of the authority of the pastors, induced that body to vote, that the final judgment of causes of excommunication should belong to the Senate, which accordingly granted letters of absolution to Berthelier, empowering him to receive the sacrament, which was to be administered with in two days. The Reformer immediately preached a powerful discourse on the subject, and declared in a loud tone, and with uplifted hands, that he would imitate the firmness of Chrysostom in this particular, and rather submit to be slain at the table than give the elements to an unworthy communicant; when the faction of Berthelier, confounded at such energy, advised him not to present himself for participation. The day following the celebration of the ordi

nance, Calvin, at the head of the Consistory, desired leave of the Senate and Council to address the people on the late proceeding, as it concerned the abrogation of a law made by the people; which led the government to refer the matter to an assembly of the Swiss Cantons. Calvin wrote to the principal ministers of Helvetia, conjuring them to use their influence in obtaining from this assembly an absolute approbation of the discipline of Geneva, as consonant to the word of God, and a protest against any innovation. Three questions were proposed by the Senate of Geneva: 1. After what manner, by God's commandment, according to the Scripture, and true religion, excommunication ought to be exercised? 2. Whether it might not be exercised some other way, than by the consistory? 3. What was the custom of their churches in like cases?—The Swiss pastors answered, that they had heard of those consistorial laws, and acknowledged them to be godly ordinances, drawing towards the prescript of the word of God; for which cause, they did not think it good for the church of Geneva by innovation to change the same, rather to keep them as they were. [To be continued.]

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the flames came right in my face; I rushed through them into the next room, where my children were sleeping in the middle of the fire, and in spite of every danger I succeeded, as I thought, in saving all my family from death. With great thankfulness I looked upon the almost naked and terrified little creatures; but who can tell what I felt when I found that one of them was not there? I im

mediately jumped into the fire, and with a great deal of difficulty, while the thatched roof was all in a light blaze, and the timber cracked in a frightful manner, I at length brought him into the open air; but oh, Sir, think what I endured, when I found that he was dead!-yes, he was quite dead; he was not burnt, but suffocated with smoke. This was too much for us all; our spirits were now gone, and we sat down together to watch the fire burning all the little property we had in the world. To this day I know no more than you how the fire begun. Oh this was a great trial; but, blessed be God, he did not leave me and my dear wife in our distress; then it was we found the value of religion, it was our only support, and we did not need any other. By the goodness of God, and the charity of my friends, I was soon after placed in this cottage, and for some time enjoyed more happiness than I deserved; but it was not for me to be happy long. A fever was about in the country,-one of my little boys caught it, brought it home, and in one week I followed three of my children to the grave. O this was cutting to our very hearts; but still we found that precious promise, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

"But my greatest trial was yet to come; for the flowers had hardly withered on their little graves, when my wife was confined with her sixth child; but oh, Sir! the day I received another son, I lost

my dear wife; she died about two hours after the babe was born, which almost directly followed her. Thus did I lose all that I thought valuable upon earth."

Here the big tear started into my eye, as I recollected how similarly I had once been situated. I hastily dashed it away, and the old man continued his narrative.

"She was as good a creature as ever breathed, and it grieves my very heart to think that I should ever have used her so bad; but, dear soul, she is happy now, and will never sorrow more. That child," pointing to his daughter, " is all that is left me of six children, and my faithless heart often makes me murmur when I think of those that are gone. But blessed be God, I can yet praise him; he has brought me hitherto in all my trials, and I know that the blessed Jesus will not now forsake

me;

"Though tempest-toss'd and half a wreck, My Saviour in the floods I seek; Let neither winds nor stormy rain Drive back my shatter'd bark again." The good old man's countenance brightened, as he repeated this appropriate stanza. A short pause ensued.

"Your trials have been great," said I, "but the good hand of God has wonderfully supported you. The Psalmist may well say, Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.'

"O yes, Sir," he replied, " I have ever found it so. Had not God supported me, I never could have stood at all. O that I could praise him as I wish!"