Tracts and Letters (Volume 5) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters CLXXXIII to CCI.
The content of today's letters included:
(i) moving of Reformed believers to Geneva;
(ii) the war between the Protestants and the Emperor;
(iii) the attempted marriage of Valeran Poulain;
(iv) troubles in Geneva, particularly with Perrin's wife.
What grabbed me
Today we see his theology in relation to suffering in war: 'We have had no news from Germany since the capture of the Landgrave, who has been suitably rewarded for his baseness. In the present position of affairs, I recognize our God's intention utterly to deprive us of a triumphant Gospel, that he may constrain us to fight under the cross of our Lord Jesus. But let us be content that he return to the early method of his dealings, in the miraculous preservation of his Church by his own power, without the help of an arm of flesh. The trial is hard, I confess ; but our fathers have had the like, quite as depressing, and have never been shaken in their stability. Now is the time to put in practice the proverb, " Let us hope and we shall see." Besides, we need not be astonished that God has corrected us thus roughly, considering the life we have led. But as you say, may those who have not hitherto been touched, take note of such examples, that they may humble themselves, and by that means prevent the hand of the Judge. '
Calvin understands that suffering should lead to humbling oneself before God.
Suffering should not lead to grumbling against God which is our usual reaction.
Next week's reading
R
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