438 THE EEFOKMATION IN FEENCH SWITZERLAND.
grace on us, forthwith demands of us a reciprocal acknowledgment. When he said to Abraham, " I am thy God," it was an offer of his free goodness ; but he adds at the same time what he required of him : " Walk before me, and be thou perfect.'' This condition is tacitly annexed to all the promises. They are to be to us as spurs, inciting us to promote the glory of God.' And elsewhere he says, ' This doctrine ought to create new vigor in all your members, so that you may be fit and alert, with might and main, to follow the call of God.' " i
§ 96. The First Years after the Return.
Calvin entered at once upon his labors, and continued them without interruption for twenty-three years — till his death. May 27, 1564.
The first years were full of care and trial, as he had anticipated. His duties were more numerous and responsible than during his first sojourn. Then he was supported by the older Farel ; now he stood at the head of the Church at Geneva, though yet a young man of thirty-two. He had to reorganize the Church, to introduce a constitution and order of worship, to preach, to teach, to settle controversies, to conciliate contending parties, to provide for the instruction of youth, to give advice even in purely secular affairs. No wonder that he often felt discouraged and exhausted, but trust in God, and a sense of duty kept him up.
Viret was of great service to him, but he was called back to Lausanne in July, 1542. His other colleagues — Jacques Bernard, Henri de la Mare, and Aim^ Champereau — were men of inferior ability, and not reliable. In 1542 four new pastors were appointed, — Pierre Blanchet, Matthias de Geneston, Louis Trappereau, and Philippe Ozias (or Ozeas). In 1544 Geneva had twelve pastors, six of them for the county Churches. Calvin gradually trained a corps of enthu-
1 Comments on 2 Cor. 7:1; Gen. 17 : 1.
§ 96. THE FIRST YEARS AFTER THE RETURN. 439
siastic evangelists. Farel and Viret visited Geneva on important occasions. For his last years, he had a most able and learned colleague in his friend Theodore Beza.
He pursued a wise and conciliatory course, which is all the more creditable to him when we consider the stern severity of his character and system. He showed a truly Christian forbearance to his former enemies, and patience with the weakness of his colleagues.^
"I will endeavor," he wrote to Bucer, in a long letter, Oct. 15, 1541, "to cultivate a good understanding and harmony with my neighbors, and also brotherly kindness (if they will allow me), with as much fidelity and diligence as I possibly can. So far as it depends on me, I shall give no ground of offence to any one. ... If in any way I do not answer your expectation, you know that I am in your power, and subject to your authority. Admonish me, chastise me, exercise towards me all the authority of a father over his son. Pardon my haste. ... I am entangled in so many employments that I am almost beside myself." -
To Myconius of Basel he wrote, March 14, 1542 : —
" I value the public peace and concord so highly, that I lay restraint upon myself ; and this praise even the adversaries are compelled to award to me.3 This feeling prevails to such an extent, that, from day to day, those who were once open enemies have become friends ; others I conciliate by courtesy, and I feel that I have been in some measure successful, although not everywhere and on all occasions.
" On my arrival it was in my power to have disconcerted our enemies most triumphantly, entering with full sail among the whole of that tribe who had done the mischief. I have abstained; if I had liked, I could daily, not merely with impunity, but with the approval of very many, have used sharp reproof. I forbear ; even with tlie most scrupulous care do I avoid everything of the kind, lest even by some slight word I should appear to persecute any individual, much less all of them at once. May the Lord confirm me in this disposition of mind."*
^ " Diese milde, versohnliche HaJtung nacli seiner Riickkehr hildet eines cler sclwmten Blatter in der Geschichte Calvin's." So says Kampschulte (I. 390), but he unjustly diminishes the praise by adding: " Noch hoher wilrde die Nachwelt sein Verdienst anschlaqen, ivenn er sich selbst desselhen iveniger bewusst geicesen ware." How could he be unconscious of his intention'? And he spoke of it not boastingly, but modestly, like Paul.
'^ Herminjard, VII, 293; Opera, XI. 299; Bonnet-Constable, I. 269.
3 " Tanti enim mihi est publica pax et concordia, ut manum mihi injiciam : atque hanc laitdem mihi adversarii ipsi tribuere coguntur."
* Herminjard, VII. 439 ; Bonnet-Constable, I. 291.