Tracts & Letters (Vol 5) - Calvin - I - Letters CXLIV to CLXII

Required reading
Tracts and Letters (Volume 5) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters CXLIV to CLXII.

My summary
Today we read letters from 1545 and 1546 addressed to Viret, Monsieur De Falais, Madame De Falais, Farel, John Frellon and Theodore Vitus.

The content of today's letters included:
(i) Geneva troubles;
(ii) the poor response of princes in keeping the peace;
(iii) Farel's troubles;
(iv) the health of Monsieur De Falais;
(v) relations with Servetus;
(vi) the persecutions of Protestants;
(vii) the death of Viret's wife;
(viii) ongoing controversy between Protestants over the Lord's Supper;
(ix) the Council of Trent;
(x) the Diet at Ratisbon.

What grabbed me
I loved this brief look at Calvin's training of young men: 'We have made Saint-Andre preacher, at which possibly you will be amazed. He did not look or it; and I believe also, that at the first move his courage would not have inclined him that way. But we have made conscience of it, seeing his zeal and readiness, not to leave him always idle. I hope that God will make use of him for the profit and upbuilding of his Church. He has not been brought to it without a struggle, but perceiving that the call was from on high, he has not resisted it. '

Sometimes young men need a good strong tap on the shoulder to go into ministry - and evidently Calvin was not afraid to tap them.

Next week's reading
Read Letters CLXIII to CLXXXII.

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