Tracts & Letters (Vol 4) - Calvin - VII - Letters LXIII to LXX

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

My summary
Today we read letters from 1541 addressed mostly to Farel, but also to Monsieur De Richebourg and 'The pastors of the church of Zurich'.

A good portion of today's letters are concerned with Diet at Ratisbon.  Some theological agreement is found between the Roman Catholics and the Protestants, but the sticking point is the Lord's Supper.

But today we also hear of:
(i) the plague at Strasbourg (which claimed some of Calvin's dear friends);
(ii) Calvin's deliberations over whether to return to Geneva.

What grabbed me
We continue to see a really warm side of Calvin in these letters.  Particularly touching was the letter to Monsieur De Richebourg - a member of the church in Strasbourg who had lost his son to the plague.

But I was also encouraged by reading of Calvin's own pain at the loss of a good friend: 'Although, how-ever, these events have produced in me so much sadness, that it seems as if they could utterly upset the mind and depress the spirit, you cannot believe the grief which consumes me on account of the death of my dear friend Claude. Nor need this surprise you. For these two years bygone, you can well conceive how much I stood in need of an assured and faithful friend, who might help to uphold me in the midst of so many and such varied troubles and causes of disquiet ; he not only proved himself most faithful, but in every way so dutiful, and withal so kindly, that I could use almost the same familiarity in my intercourse with him as if he were my brother. When of late I left this place, as you know, in a state of suspense and irresolution, he promised, in the most sacred manner, that he would come wherever I wished, and that his friendship should never fail me. The more I consider with myself how much I stood in need of a good counsellor always at my side, and, on the other hand, how rare, in these times, is such an instance of affectionate good-will and faithfulness, I cannot arrive at any other conclusion, than that the Lord, in taking him away, has meant to chastise me severely for my sins. But while I only intended to touch upon the subject of my misery in a passing way, I am already running to excess. That is to be accounted for, however, as well by the recollection of a most excellent man, (which I wish may some time be as sweet to me as it shall ever be sacred,) as from a pious regard to those who are left.'

Interesting to see Calvin not blame God for the loss of such a friend, but instead blame his own sin.

Next week's reading
Read Letters LXXI to LXXXII.

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