432 THE REFORMATION IN FRENCH SWITZERLAND.
that Calvin was indispensable to Strassburg as the head of the French Church which represented Protestant France ; as a theological teacher who attracted students from Germany, France, and Italy, to send them back to their own countries as evangelists ; and as a helper in making the Church of Strassburg a seminary of ministers of the gospel. No one besides Melanchthon could be compared with him. Geneva was indeed an important post, and the gate to France and Italy, but uncertain, and liable to be involved again in political complications which might destroy the evangelical labors of Calvin. The pastors and senators of Strassburg, urged by the churches of Ziirich and Basel, came at last to the conclusion to consent to Calvin's return after the Colloquy of Worms, but only for a season, hoping that he may soon make their city his final home for the benefit of the whole Church. 1
Thus two cities, we might almost say, two nations, were contending for the possession of "the Theologian." His whole future life, and a considerable chapter of Church history, depended on the decision. Under these circumstances he could make no definite promise, except that he would pay a visit to Geneva after the close of the Colloquy, on condition of getting the consent of Strassburg and Bern. He also prescribed, like a victorious general, the terms of surrender, namely, the restoration of Church discipline.
He had previously advised that Viret be called from Lausanne. This was done in Dec. 31, 1540, with the permission of Bern, but only for half a year. Viret arrived in Geneva Jan. 17, 1541. His persuasive sermons were well attended, and the magistrates showed great reverence for the Word of God ; but he found so much and such difficult work in church
1 See the letters signed by Capito, Hedio, Bucer, Sturm, Bedrotus, Grynffius (probably written by Bucer), October and November, 1540, in Herminjard, VI. 335 and 356 sqq., and the letter of the Council of Strassburg to the Council of Geneva, Sept. 1, 1541, vol. VII. 227.
§ 95. calvin's return to geneva. 433
and school, in the hospital and the poorhouse, that he urged Calvin to come soon, else he must withdraw or perish.
On the 1st of May, 1541, the General Council recalled, in due form, the sentence of banishment of April 23, 1538, and solemnly declared that every citizen considered Calvin, Farel, and Saunier to be honorable men, and true servants of God.^ On the 26th of May the senate sent another pressing request to Strassburg, Ziirich, and Basel to aid Geneva in securing the return of Calvin.^
It is astonishing what an amount of interest this question of Calvin's return excited throughout Switzerland and Germany. It was generally felt that the fate of Geneva depended on Calvin, and that the fate of evangelical religion in France and Italy depended on Geneva. Letters arrived from individuals and corporations. Farel continued to thunder, and reproached the Strassburgers for keeping Calvin back. He was indignant at Calvin's delay. " Will you wait," he wrote him, '■'• till the stones call thee ? "
§ 95. Calvhi's Return to Geneva. 1541.
In the middle of June, Calvin left Regensburg, before the close of the Colloquy, much to the regret of Melanchthon ; and after attending to his affairs in Strassburg, he set out for Switzerland. The Genevese sent Eustace Vincent, a mounted herald, to escort him, and voted thirty-six ecus for expenses (Aug. 26).
The Strassburgers requested him to retain his right of citizenship, and the annual revenues of a prebend, which they had assigned him as the salary of his theological professorship. " He gladly accepted," says Beza, " the former mark of respect, but could never be induced to accept the latter,
1 " Pour gens de bien et de Dieu." Annnl. 278.
2 See the letters of the Council of Geneva to the Pastors of Zurich in Opera, XI. 220 sqq., and in Ilerniiiijard, VII. 129 sqq.