Tracts & Letters (Vol 4) - Calvin - V - Letters XLII to L

Required reading
Tracts and Letters (Volume 4) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters XLII to L.

My summary
Today we read letters from 1539 and 1540.  All are addressed to Farel except one each to Viret, Monsieur Du Tailley and Caroli.

The subjects of today's letters included:
(i) other Reformers, including brief comments about the expositions of Zwingli and Luther;
(ii) sale of Calvin's books;
(iii) the ongoing case of Caroli;
(iv) news regarding France, Germany and England - particularly about the actions of their sovereigns;
(v) Protestant persecutions;
(vi) finding a wife.

What grabbed me
I continue to enjoy hearing about Calvin's quest to be married: 'Nevertheless, in the midst of such commotions as these, I am so much at my ease, as to have the audacity to think of taking a wife. A certain damsel of noble rank has been proposed to me, and with a fortune above my condition. Two considerations deterred me from that connection — because she did not understand our language, and because I feared she might be too mindful of her family and education. Her brother, a very devout person, urged the connection, and on no other account than that, blinded by his affection to me, he neglected his own interests. His wife also, with a like partiality, contended, as he did, so that I would have been prevailed upon to submit with a good grace, unless the Lord had otherwise appointed. When, thereupon, I replied that I could not engage myself unless the maiden would undertake that she would apply  her mind to the learning of our language, she requested time for deliberation.'

I think that's reasonable.  A husband and wife should be able to communicate verbally!

Next week's reading
Read Letters LI to LXII.

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