scure and misleading, contrary to the Scriptures, and even blasphemous, as being directed against the eternal godhead of Christ; and when the book finally appeared in 1531 from the press of Conrad Rous, of Hagenau and Strasburg (under the title l>e Trinitutis Errorihus Li- bri Seplem, etc., 15 sheets, 8vo), it was condemned on every hand. Bucer declared its author to be deserving of death ; and when Servetus brought a portion of the edition to Basle, it would seem that the town-council confiscated the book and required from him a retrac- tion of its teachings. A second work from the same press in 1532 {Dialog, de Trinit. lAbr. 11, de Just, licgni Christi Capif.IV, 8 sheets, 8vo) begins with a retraction of the former book, but on the ground of its immaturity rather than substantial error. This work produced no impression whatever, and Servetus was obliged to re- nounce the hope of exercising a determining influence over the progress of the Reformation in (iermany. He withdrew to France, assumed the name of De Ville- neuve, and entered on the study of mathematics and medicine, and also that of philosophy, particidarly of theosophic Neo-Platonism, at Paris. At this time he first sought the actpiaintance of Calvin, but failed to at- tend an interview granted at his solicitation by the lat- ter. The life of Servetus while in France was unset- tled ; the first six j'ears being sjient in Paris, Orleans, Lyons, Paris again, where he taught mathematics in the Lombard College, Avignon, and Cliarlieu ; and it was disturbed with freijuent disputes, whicli occasional- ly involved serious consequences for liim. One of these quarrels determined him to leave Paris forever. He had acquired considerable knowledge in medical science — as is attested by his observation of the circulation of the blood, long before Harvey's discovery — and was a zeal- ous student of astrology ; but his vanity led him to speak disparagingly of other physicians, and brought on him the ojiposition of the medical facultj' and of the entire university. He was condemned by the Parliament to destroy all the co|)ies of an apology which he had writ- ten to substantiate his position, and to abstain from meddling with astrology except in so far as the natural influence of the stars upon human affairs might be con- cerned. He ultimately settled at Vienne in response to the invitation of his patron and former pupil, the arch- bishop P. Panlmier, and spent twelve years in that town in the practice of medicine and in intercourse with the leading clergy ; but he still found time fur learned la- bors, both in the line of his own profession and in other departments, one of the results being a now edition of the Latin version of the Bible by Sanctes Pagninus (Lugd. ap. Hug. a Porta, 1542, fol.), with notes. This work was but carelessly done ; the few notes from his pen being chiefly attached to the Messianic prophecies, and aim- ing to show that such prophecies invariably referred in the minds of the prophets to historical ]iersonages and events in the immediate future, and that they had only a typical reference to Christ. The work was accord- ingly placed in Spain and the Netherlands on the Index Exjmrcjandorvm. Servetus had by no means given up his theological speculations, though he accommodated his habits in all respects to his Roman Catholic sur- roundings. He believed himself called to effect a res- toration of true Christianity, which had been obscured and even lost to the world since the beginning of the 4th century, and to promote his ends he opened a cor- respondence with the Reformed leaders Viret and Cal- vin. The latter responded, and at first with moderation ; but as Servetus assumed a depreciatory attitude, and persisted in the endeavor to contradict the responses made to his inquiries, the reformer eventually refused to continue the correspondence, and referred to his Insti- tutes for further information. Servetus now resolved to bring before the public the work in which he had laid down the residts of his long-continued cogitations, and, in utter disregard of the warnings already received from Calvin, as well as of the dangers clearly recognised as impeniling by his own mind, he carried forward the
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project to its conclusion. The rashness and almost fa- iiaiical tenacity of his natural temper are well illustrated in this undertaking; but the method by which it was accomplished serves to show with equal clearness that he was not above the use of caution, artifice, and even duplicity, when needed to secure himself against the consequences of his action. The bookseller ArnouUet, of Yienne, was secured b\' the use of money and the false assurances of a friend; the printing was conducted with the utmost secrecy and haste, and immediately on its completion the book was sent to Lyons, Chatillon, Cieneva, and Frankfort, without the knowledge of per- sons resident in Vienne. It appeared early in 1553, and bore the title Christianismi Restitutio, etc. The author's name is indicated at the end by the letters "M. S. V." and the name of the publisher and the place of printing are not given.