Tracts & Letters (Vol 4) - Calvin - I - Advertisement, Preface, Letters I to XIV

Required reading
Tracts and Letters (Volume 4) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the Advertisement, Preface and Letters I to XIV.

My summary
Now we commence the fourth volume in the collection which is the first of the volumes of Calvin's letters.

After reading an editor's commendation of the work, the preface gives details on how the letters were acquired and brought to publication.  We also are told of the value of the work, particularly its historical, literary and theological importance.

Then we read our first batch of letters which span from 1528 to 1537.  The letters contain a mixture of content from discussion of domestic issues to Reformation concerns.  We also see mention of Calvin's early writings.

What grabbed me
These letters really reveal a personal side of Calvin that is not as visible in his theological works.

I particularly enjoyed the description of his work on the first draft of the Institutes: 'Furthermore, as soon as I got back to Geneva, a violent cold attacked me, which afterward settled upon the upper gum, so that there was scarce any relief even after nine days, and after having been twice bled, with a double dose of pills and several fomentations. Nor is it yet completely shaken off. During that lost opportunity, although there was abundant leisure for writing, and the way  or channel of correspondence was not entirely closed, yet I was kept continually occupied upon the French version of my little book ; and the almost certain expectation began then to arise, that the letters might reach you enriched by that acquisition, rather than that they should come empty handed. '

The guy is out for the count with a cold and yet manages to work on his 'little' systematic theology!

Next week's reading
Read Letters XV to XXV.

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