Tracts & Letters (Vol 1) - Calvin - I - Preface & Life commenced

Required reading
Tracts and Letters (Volume 1) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here).  Read the Preface and commence the Life of Calvin by Beza up to page xxxvi (stop at the paragraph that starts 'These were Calvin's studies at Strasburgh until the year 1541').

My summary
In the preface we are given an overview of the texts that make up Volume 1.  If you are interested in joining us on Saturdays but are unsure of what the writings will be about, I encourage you to read the Preface for a quick taste.

Next, we commence the Life of Calvin by Beza which in the preface we are told: 'It is not without its merits as a biography; but, independent of them, as containing a delineation of Calvin's conduct by an eye-witness and intimate friend, will never be entirely superseded by any biography that may yet be written.'

In the biography we see Calvin arise as a lawyer but then move quickly into Protestant theology.  Not surprisingly, he begins to be persecuted by the Roman Catholics and moves around in France and Italy. 

Calvin eventually settles down in Geneva as 'Professor of Sacred Literature' but is compelled to leave by the Genevan Council for enforcing church discipline.

What grabbed me
I loved seeing Calvin acknowledge the hand of his sovereign God in his being fired from Geneva: 'This decision being intimated to Calvin, "Certainly," says he, "had I been the servant of men I had obtained a poor reward, but it is well that I have served Him who never fails to perform to his servants whatever he has promised." Who would not have supposed that these things would prove certain destruction to the Genevese Church? On the contrary, the event showed that the purpose of Divine Providence was partly, by employing the labours of his faithful servant elsewhere, to train him, by various trials, for greater achievements, and partly, by overthrowing those seditious persons, through their own violence, to purge the city of Geneva of much pollution. So admirable does the Lord appear in all his works, and especially in the government of his Church! This was fully manifested by what afterwards happened.'

Being fired as a pastor for faithfulness does not disrupt God's promises.  God will always reward his servants.

Next week's reading
Continue reading the Life of Calvin up to page lxx (stop at the paragraph beginning 'In the following year, (1556,) Calvin, while preaching, was suddenly seized with ague, and ultimately obliged to leave the pulpit').

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.