Tracts & Letters (Vol 6) - Calvin - V - Letters CCCXCV to CCCCIV

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

My summary
Today we read letters from 1555 addressed to the Seigneurs and Pastors of Berne, Bullinger, Farel, Adolph Clauburger, John Clauburger, the Duchess of Ferrara and John Knox.

The majority of today's reading was taken up with the poor relations between Calvin and the Bernese. 

But we also heard about the work of Knox and outbreaks of violence in Geneva itself.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed this description of God's guidance: 'It is truly the office of God to lead us on like poor blind persons, when we are brought to a stop with all our human means, and to devise expedients which we should never have thought of, enabling us to surmount every obstacle though all the while we see not a whit. It is at the same time our office to pray him to be pleased to open our eyes, that as soon as he gives us some sign we may immediately follow it. Spare not then to put in practice day by day all the means in your power to advance in the right path. So doing, though you may still be far from the mark, it will not be in vain that you stretch towards it, for our progress is certain, provided we keep following, however faintly ; and such an assurance should fortify us to resist all temptations. For if worldlings labour at random with so much ardour for some hope of which they are often frustrated, how should we strive who have the promise of God to assure us of our salvation !'

With God, we can surmount every obstacle!

Next week's reading
Read Letters CCCCV to CCCCXVII.

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