Tracts & Letters (Vol 6) - Calvin - I - Letters CCCXL to CCCLV

Required reading
Tracts and Letters (Volume 6) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters CCCXL to CCCLV.

My summary
Today we begin another volume of letters.

We read letters from 1554 addressed to Viret, Ambrose Blaurer, Bullinger, Seigneur of Piedmont, the Brethren of Orbe, Viret, the Brethren of Wezel, Farel, John Laski, the Brethren of Poitou, Madame De Cany, Charles Dumoulin, the Duchess of Ferrara and Sulzer.

The content of today's letters included:
(i) troubles in Geneva (although Calvin had made peace with Perrin);
(ii) Calvin's writings, including a publication about Servetus;
(iii) the ejection of Roman Catholics from Protestant cities;
(iv) the education of children;
(v) the travels of Protestant refugees;
(vi) the military movements of Henry II;
(vii) advice to persecuted Christians.

What grabbed me
When speaking about Knox, Calvin gave his view on the rule of women: 'About the government of women I expressed myself thus : Since it is utterly at variance with the legitimate order of nature, it ought to be counted among the judgments with which God visits us; and even in this matter his extraordinary grace is sometimes very conspicuous, because to reproach men for their sluggishness, he raises up women endowed not only with a manly but a heroic spirit, as in the case of Deborah we have an illustrious example. But though a government of this kind seems to me nothing else than a mere abuse, yet I gave it as my solemn opinion, that private persons have no right to do any thing but to deplore it. For a gynaecocracy or female rule badly organized is like a tyranny, and is to be tolerated till God sees fit to overthrow it. If any tumult shall arise for the sake of religion, I pronounced that to me it seems the better and the safer course, to remain quiet till some peculiar call for interference should clearly appear — that it is our duty rather to ask God for a spirit of moderation and prudence, to stand us in aid in the critical moment, than to agitate idle enquiries.'

Not something I agree with, but interesting nonetheless.

Next week's reading
Letters CCCLVI to CCCLXIX.

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