Tracts & Letters (Vol 4) - Calvin - VIII - Letters LXXI to LXXXII

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

My summary
Today we read letters from 1541 and 1542 addressed mostly to Farel, but also to Viret, the Seigneury of Geneva, the Seigneury of Neuchatel, Bucer and Madame the Duchess of Ferrara.

The content of today's letters included:
(i) Calvin's continued deliberation over return to Geneva;
(ii) travel to Geneva;
(iii) arrival in Geneva and the work of Calvin there including the introduction of his Ecclesiastical discipline;
(iv) the conclusion of the Diet of Ratisbon;
(v) finding work for friends;
(vi) the dismissal of Farel by the church of Neuchatel and then their reinstatement of him;
(vii) the plague;
(viii) the Lord's supper;
(ix) the retention of Viret in Geneva;
(x) Reformation at Paris and Lyons.

What grabbed me
The firing of Farel at Neuchatel was depressing to read.  Beveridge (the editor) notes that the dismissal was due to Farel publicly censuring a lady of rank whose conduct had been a matter of scandal in the church.

But it was also interesting to read Calvin's counsel to Farel once he was reinstated at the church: 'You are right, most excellent Farel, the Lord has wonderfully overruled this whole affair ; but we have been taught by the contest what a Lerna Satan must be, who can produce so many Hydras in one little town. If, however, from one monstrous head a hundred were to spring, and if for every one head even a thousand were to threaten us, we know for certain, that while we wage war under the banners of our Christ, and fight with the weapons of his warfare, we shall be unconquerable. At the same time, however, we must keep in mind, that we ought to omit nothing by which we may oppose and frustrate the crafty devices of our enemy. For this purpose our Lord has furnished us with spiritual prudence, which, as it neither slackens nor weakens our zeal, so, on the other hand, it stills and regulates it by a wise moderation. Nor do we speak of these qualities because we perceive at present any want of this temper in you, but in order that you may be more and more on your guard, that the spiteful and malicious may have not even a pretext for trumping up their calumnies against you. We trust you are satisfied as to Courault. If our friends have not performed what they promised to you, you must impute that to the untowardness of the times ; and you will forgive the Church her inability in that respect, to whom you could pardon so much more serious offences. What you request about a new commission, unless we are greatly mistaken, it will be procured without difficulty. Meanwhile, be of good courage, and at the same time possess your soul in patience ; for when you come, we shall give you enough to do.'

I particularly liked the advice to use the spiritual prudence which the Lord has given to moderate zeal.  Excellent advice for young men.

Next week's reading
Read Letters LXXXIII to XCIV.

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