A discourse written by M. Theodore de Beza, containing in brief the History of the life and death of Master john Calvin, with the Testament and last will of the said Calvin, and the Catalogue of his Books that he hath made. Turned out of French into English, by I. S.  
In the year of our Lord. M.D.LXIIII.  
¶ Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Queen's majesties Injunctions.  
Imprinted at London by Henry Denham, for Lucas Harrison, dwelling in Paul's Churchyard at the sign of the Crane.   

The Printer to the Reader.  
FRIEND READER I offer unto thee this present gathering or sum, containing the Life and Death of the Faithful servant of God, Master john Calvin: by the which thou shalt see marvelous examples of the assaults, that he hath endured for the Doctrine of the Son of God, and also what assistance God doth give to his, when his honour and glory cometh in question. In the mean time think it not strange that this discourse doth not agree with the accustomed form of Hystorians, for the purpose of the Auctor who is Master Theodore de Beza, a good servant of God also, and a companion of Master john Calvin in the work of the Lord, was not to publish it as an History, but only for a Preface to the Commentaries of the said Calvin upon the Book of joshua, come to light sith his death. I have thought good to advertise thee hereof, to the end that thou shouldest not think, that the memory of so great and worthy a parsonage might be satisfied with so small a discourse, (albeit that it is diligently and truly set forth) the which shall serve thee only to this purpose to make thee to hope and look for an ample and goodly History of his acts and doings, which shall greatly profit to the advancement of the Church of God: to whom be glory and honour for ever and ever. Sobeit.   

Theodore de Beza, to the Christian Reader, health and peace in our Lord.  
IF it had pleased God to have kept longer among us his Faithful servant Master john Calvin, or rather if the perversity of the world had not caused the Lord to take him so soon to himself: this should not have been the last of his labours, wherein he hath so faithfully & so aptly employed himself for the advancement of the glory of God, & for the edification of his Church: And also now this Commentary should not have gone forth, without being as it were crowned with some excellent Preface, as are the rest. But it fareth with it as it doth with poor Orphans, which are not so well provided for as their Brethren, because that their father is to timely taken from them. In this mean time I do see this Orphan to be of so good a house, thanks be to God, & so well resembling his father, that without any other Testimony, he will of himself become not only agreeable, but also very honourable to all those that shall see him. And therefore also mine intent hath not been to recommend him by this Testimony, (for what needeth it?) but rather to lament more with him of the death of him, which hath been as a father, both to him & to me: forsomuch as I neither may, nor aught to esteem him less to be my father in that which God hath taught me by him, than this Book, and so many others, which have been by him written. I will then bewail me, but it shall not be without consolation: for having regard to him of whom I speak, I had rather have had him living here below, if the felicity wherein he is now placed, did not change the sorrowfulness of my loss into rejoicing of his gain: and I should smally have profited by his so holy & marvelous doctrine, & by his life that was so sincere & good, and by his death that was so happy & Christian, if I had not learned by all these means to submit myself to the providence of God, being fully contented and satisfied therewith. Now as concerning his doctrine, whereof I will first speak, so far unable are the multitude which have spoken against him, to yield it suspected with all men of good judgement, that on the contrary, the same might serve for an infallible argument to approve and confirm the same: for so much as none hath at any time stood against it, but he hath well felt that he hath addressed himself not against a man, but against a very true servant of God. Also he may lawfully affirm (and all those who have known him will be good and lawful witnesses) that he had never enemy, which in assailing of him made not war against God. For after that God did cause his champion to enter within that list or stecade, it may be well said, that Satan hath picked him out even as though he had forgotten all the rest, to assail him, and to pluck him thoroughly down, if he had been able. But on the other side God hath given him that grace, that he hath adorned him with so many trophies or victorious tokens, as he hath set manifest enemies against him. If then we shall speak of the combats that he hath inwardly endured for the doctrine, there may nothing make them to seem easy & slight, but only the diligence which he did always use, because he would not suffer his enemies to take breath, and the constancy which God gave unto him, never to yield or bend how little so ever it were, in the quarrel of the Lord. The anabaptists can bear witness, who shortly after the beginning of his ministery in this Church, to wit the year .1536. that he could so well and happily behave himself in open disputation without the help of the Magistrate, that immediately the race of them was utterly destroyed in this Church: which is the more to be wondered at, because that the greatest number of the Churches of Almaigne are yet at this day greatly hindered by them: and if there be any that is free from them, it hath been rather by rigour of justice than otherwise. He had an other combat to fight against an Apostate named Carol, upon certain calumnies & false reports: who being also overthrown as well by writing as by word, and cast out of the Church of God, died miserably at Rome in an hospital, as an example to those which do revolt from jesus Christ, to follow a Master which doth so well recompense his servants, both in this world and in the other. And an other time, to wit the year of our Lord .1553. Michael servet a Spaniard of cursed memory, happened to come, who was not a man, but rather, an horrible Monster, compounded of the ancient and new heresies, and above all an execrable blasphemer against the Trinity, and namely against the Eternity of the Son of God: This same being come to this town, and apprehended by the Magistrate because of his blasphemies, he was here so substantially encountered, that he had no defence but a certain untamed obstinacy, by reason whereof by the just judgement of God and man, he ended by the punishment of fire, his wicked life and blasphemies which he had vomited, both by mouth & writing by the space of thirty years & more. About two years before there came a certain deceitful friar a Carmelite, & was suddenly become of a divine, a Physician, named Hierosme Bolseck of Paris, who to get him estimation, thinking himself to be in Cloistre, and not in a Church of God, which he never did know but by hear say, and afterward being procured by certain naughty and evil disposed persons, of whom it shallbe hereafter spoken, began in open Congregation to condemn the doctrine of the eternal providence & predestation, as though we made God the auctor of sin, & culpable in the condemnation of the wicked: Calvin in that very place did stand against this disguised Wolf, & did so answer him by word both openly & privately, & afterward also by writing that the adversary had no troth of his side remaining, but a certain Monkish shamelessness, which made him & doth make him at this day filthy & stinking to every man that hath any good understanding: yea by his own judgement, as shallbe declared by testimony of his own hand whensoever need shall require. For this wicked man who had deserved punishment for a seditious act, being used by the Magistrate very gently, because that they thought that there might hereafter some remedy be found for his sophistical ignorance, after that he had done so many offences and wickednesses as he was able in the Churches near there about, seeing himself three times driven out of the dominions of the Lords of Berne, in the end being intolerable to any man, did give glory to God, acknowledging his errors: and especially his evil conscience, at Orleans in open general Synod of the French Churches, the year .1562. in such sort that men had some hope in him. But after that being again possessed by such a like evil spirit, is returned to his first errors, and is driven from all men, as he is well worthy, and doth serve yet at this present day in all places where he goeth, for a testimony of the wrath of God against all such as do resist the truth. Shortly after there was a certain remnant of Seruetistes, who declared themselves, as one being a lawyer of those quarters: who afterward for the like cause was driven from the university of Tubing by the right noble Duke of Wirtemberg, and because he did continued in his blasphemies, for which he had been chastised by imprisonments and suffered to recant by the judgement of the said Lords of Berne, with this man there was confederate a certain man of Calabria named Valentine Gentle, an other of Sardegna, a Piedmontois named john Paul Alciat, a Physician of Saluces named George Blandrata. These men wrought under ground as well as they could, showing their blasphemies against the three persons in one divine Essence and being, until the time that this faithful servant of God withstanding them, some vanished away, others of them acknowledging their blasphemies, have demanded mercy at the hands of God & of the signory. But shortly after, those wicked ones returned (contrary to their oath) to their blasphemies, & in the end with their complices conveyed themselves into Polognia, where they have stirred up and do yet at this day, innumerable troubles, yet have they notwithstanding even to & in the very place where they are, felt & perceived what the force was of the faithful servant of God, of whom we speak: by whose writings the Churches of Polognia have been so fortified, that the Faithful have been greatly established, & the enemies of the truth so weakened, that with the help of God, their ruin is at hand. Behold these are the principal combats that he hath fought within, for the doctrine, which is much more hard to sustain than to recite, as the Books shall testify to the posterity. As for the other enemies, they have always assailed him from a far of, but not so far of, but that he hath touched them more nigh than they would willingly: his learned works against the anabaptists and Libertines can make sufficient declaration. And as for the great Goliath Pighius, who was it that did beat down and overthrow him and his Pelagianisme, but only the power of the Lord in the hand of Calvin? who did shut up the mouth of the glorious Cardinal Sadolet, but only he? who hath more happily fought with & overthrown that herd of Boars gathered together to destroy & wroute up the Vineyard of the Lord? who hath more grievously or more perilouslye in deed wounded Antichrist to the death? who hath more boldly & more aptly made answer to the wicked (interim) which hath so troubled Germany? This is not all, for who hath been of a more clear sight to know and to reprove the wickedness of false Evangelists, who framed themselves to all men meet? Who hath more constantly defended the purity of the doctrine against the most dangerous kind of enemies: to wit, those which under the colour of peace and union do endeavour themselves to corrupt the purity of the same? And as touching the miserable contention that was moved about the matter of the Supper, seeing the fire so greatly kindled, his whole desire was to quench it by a clear exposition of the matter; without naming of any man: the which he hath so well and so aptly done, that he that shall well consider his writings, must confess the next after God, it is to him, that the honour of the resolution is due, which since hath been followed by all men of good judgement. This notwithstanding, Satan enforced himself by all means possible, to have set division between him and the Church of Zuriche in this discentyon: which among others he hath alway esteemed and honoured. But it was in vain, for on the contrary when they had in presence conferred together, they continued thoroughly of one accord: and then was the consent of all the Churches of Guise & of the Guisians, framed & imprinted in many tongues, to the great edification of the people of God. That did much displease certain obstinate men, among whom there was one named joachim Wesphale, an other Tileman Heshusius, which were the most earnest and fervent enemies of the truth and concord. He was then enforced to enter into combat, whereby he did so maintain the truth, and overthrow and suppress the ignorance and shamelessness of such personages, that he won great commendation, and the above named great shame: yea even among those of their sect & nation, and the Church of God hath been the more confirmed in the true and wholesome doctrine. In conclusion, I think that there is no heresy ancient, nor renewed, nor newly forged in our time, which he hath not destroyed to the very foundations. For among all other his excellent Graces there were two that did shine in him: to wit, a singular sharpness of spirit to discover where the difficulty of matters did lie, and then also a marvelous dexterity and aptness to make his answers without the losing of any one word, as all they will confess, yea the very enemies of the Gospel, which would attentively read his works. I have also omitted one Monster which he likewise did defeat, albeit that in that behalf I fought on his side: it is one named Sebastian Castalion, who because he had some knowledge in the tongues, and had also a certain aptness in the Latin tongue, he was here received to govern the school, But this spirit being so naturally inclined to please himself, did so dive him in his vanity, that in the end he drowned himself therein, because we could never win so much of him, as to cause him to take the pains to read the Commentaries and other works to resolve him. That was the cause why he did openly condemn the song called Canticum Canticorum, in Latin, as a filthy and wanton Book: which when it was laid to his charge, he vomited out openly a thousand injuries against the Pastors of this Church: Whereupon being commanded by the Magistrate to avouch his sayings, and being convinced of manifest malice and evil speaking, by justice he was appointed to departed the town after that he had acknowledged his fault: being then in the end retired to Basil, he continued there, until the time of the trouble that was stirred up by Hierosme Bolsec, upon Predestination, the same man which held always of the perfection of the anabaptists, but it was secretly and among his own sect, otherwise making no difficulty at all to shape himself like to every man, and being also greatly provoked by the death of servet, he discovered himself openly, first in a book which he caused to be imprinted in Latin and in French under a false and counterfeit name of Martin Belly, to whose errors and blasphemies I have answered. He also made an other treatise which he calleth in Latin Theologia Germanica, under the name of Theophile, and in French an other treatise of the old and new man. In the end he did turn or rather overthrow and confound the whole Bible in Latin and French with so vile a shamelessness & ignorance, that it is marvel that any man could delight therein, were it not that new things are always agreeable to Ambitious spirits, whereof there is at this day as great plenty as ever there was. He did set before his translation, an Epistle dedicated to the late good king Edward of England, whereby under colour of preaching Charity, he overthroweth the authority of the Scriptures, as dark or unperfect: to the end to send us to particular revelations, to wit, to the dreams of the first abuser & deceiver that would declare and show himself. He did also make certain notes upon the ninth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, whereby he doth openly maintain Pelaglanisme, & doth not acknowledge any decree and ordinance of God, but only in those things that are good of their own nature, forging in God a permission contrary to his will, & falsely laying to our charge, that we make God the Auctor of sin. All this did not any thing move the faithful servant of God, because that such calumnies & errors had been already answered a thousand times, unto the time that he himself made a certain collection in Latin of certain Articles and arguments, which some men said were taken out of the Books of M. john Calvin, adding thereunto certain replications: & this book was sent closely to Paris there to be imprinted, but God provided for it and caused the first copy to come to my hands, in such sort that we ourselves did cause them to be put in print here, with such answers as it did deserve: he after that he understood the whole matter, knew not how to answer the Pastors and Ministers of Basil, but said that he was not Auctor of those articles, being shortly after called to answer upon the doctrine of free will and of the providence of God, in open disputation at Basil, his doctrine was condemned. And because that certain years before he had been received to the profession of the Greek tongue, by those that did not understand of his errors, he was commanded not to deal neither by word nor writing but with his lecture, which thing he promised and did very evil observe it, continuing always as he mought, in sowing of his errors and deceits: and of a very malice that he had against me, who at that time was in France greatly troubled, to my great grief, in the civil wars: or at the least being moved with some unmeasurable ambition, he wrote a little book entitled, Counsel to desolate France, without putting his name to it, or naming the place wherein it was printed, albeit it was a free town: in it doth he condemn all the French Churches of sedition and rebellion, and giveth council to every one to believe what he will, and by that very mean opening the gate to all Heresies and false doctrines. I did not vouchsafe to make answer to that worthy counsel, which declared this man to be over beastly and ignorant in that whereof he did entreat, & very evil exercised in such affairs, but in the stead of it I did answer to many points whereof he rebuketh me, mingling with them most villain and intolerable errors, under colour of defending that which I did mislike in his Latin translation. This mine answer being dedicated to the pastors of the Church of Basil, was the cause that the same Castalion was called by the Church and afterward by the signory, and was commanded to make answer to that wherewith I charged him, and did offer myself to prove by his own writings: but within few days after death delivered him from that travail. I know well that this long discourse shallbe misliked of some men, as though I spoke as a man loaded with passions, and could not be content to suffer the dead to be at rest in their grave. But I may well protest before God that I did never hate the man in his life time, with whom also I never had to do neither in good nor evil in particular, much less that I would now hate and persecute the dead which are put over to the judgement of the Lord. But it was needful to make this known, to the end that every man might beware of his Books and disciples that he hath left behind him. Whilst these things were doing, a certain Disciple advanced himself, to wit, Frances Baldwin, who could no more continue in one Religion than in one place, but changed dwelling place & condition in manner every day, & Religion at the least three times, in the end having no more conscience to lose, he placed himself in a certain Religion, like to that of Chanonnes regulars, the which being such in general as were the rest of all their troop, yet when there is a question of their particular, they become Monks in the that is profitable for the Monks: and on the contrary they be always seculars, when Monkry pleaseth them not: & this worthy parsonage did kiss the Pantophle as the rest have done, & because the people should be out of doubt that he did it unfeignedly, he received a good and a worthy absolution of his king, to enter again into the favour of his holiness & his Cardinals, unto whom for recompense of all his evil hap he became slave. If then it come in question to have one to write against us, this is the best Catholic in the world: but on the other side if he must frame himself to those that are as it were between two irons, & boast them that they hold the mean, than this good man spiteth out the reformations of the Romish Church, & speaketh stoutly of certain abuses, but it is without touching the principal, & in such sort notwithstanding, that every man which knoweth him not, would think he did mean good faith, & not to purchase him credit. This galaunt for his beginning, failed not in the year .1561. to set forth a book of such stuff, without any name, at the present time the men were at the conference of Poyssy. Calvin understanding the meaning of this wicked one, made answer briefly according to his usage: but very paremptorilie and fully, giving certain attaints to him that was chiefly culpable of this evil. Baldwine upon this begun to chafe, & afterward left not to foam out his rage against him whom he had so often called father and Master, only to make it known that he was revolted in deed, whereupon Calvin did overthrow him, by one only silence. For as touching the injuries and outrages against his person, he did always esteem them honourable for the name of the Lord whom he served, forsomuch as to be blamed by a wicked man, is a token of virtue. And as for his reprehensions concerning the doctrine, the one sort were so slender and so improper in his judgement, that they deserved no answer, the others were but recitals borrowed elsewhere, and refuted more than a thousand times. And for so much as it is to me, that this Apostate hath also addressed him to gratify his Masters, I have taken upon me to answer him for the second time, which thing I hope also well to discharge, with the grace of our God. These be the principal combats that this worthy parsonage hath happily endured for the truth of the Lord. As touching the rest, in this discourse I think I have entreated of the greatest part of his life: for what was his life other than a continual doctrine, as well by word as by writing, and by all his manners and order of life? the which also will do very well to be declared particularly, to the end that every man may understand the marvels of God in the person of this excellent man. He was borne in Noyon, an ancient and famous town of Picardy, the year .1509. the tenth of july, of an honest house and of a reasonable wealth, his father was named Gerard Calvin, a man of good understanding and counsel, and therefore greatly desired in the houses of noble men dwelling in those parts: by reason whereof his said Son was the better and more liberally brought up, at his father's charges notwithstanding, in company with the children of the house of Mommor, with whom also he was in company at the school at Paris. He was always of a singular good wit, and above all other things of a very good conscience, enemy to vices, and greatly given to the service of God as men did then call it: in such sort as his mind was wholly to divinity, which was also an occasion that he was provided of a benefice in the Cathedral Church of Noyon. Yet was his father always minded that he should study the Laws, and he also on his part having already, (by the mean of a cousin and friend of his, named Master Peter Robert, otherwise Oliventanus, who afterward turned the Bible out of Hebrew into French and imprinted it at Neufchastle,) tasted some thing of the pure Religion, began to withdraw himself from Popish superstitions: which was the cause that beside the singular reverence that he had toward his father, he did agree to go to orleans to the same end, where there did then read an excellent man named Peter de l' Estoille, who was afterward Precedent of the Court of Parliament in Paris, under whom he did so profit in short space, that he was not accounted a scholar, but as an ordinary Doctor, as oftentimes he was rather in deed a teacher than a hearer, and he was offered to proceed Doctor without paying any thing, which thing also he did refuse. And because that the university of Bourges was then also famous by the mean of that excellent Lawyer Andre Alciat which then did read there, he would him. In the mean time he exercised himself also see and hear in holy letters, with such fruit and profit, that all those whose hearts it had pleased GOD to touch, giving them to understand what the differences were that were then moved concerning matters of Religion, did not only bear toward him singular affection, but had him forthwith in great admiration for the learning and zeal that was in him. Among other with whom he did frequent and company, then at Bourges there was an Almaigne an excellent parsonage a Professor of the Greek tongue, named Melchior Volmar, whom I do so much the more willingly remember, because it is very he that was my faithful governor and teacher all the time of my youth, for the which cause I will praise God all the days of my life. This good man seeing Calvin not to be well instructed in the Greek tongue, caused him to study the same, wherein he did greatly help him, as he himself hath witnessed, dedicating to him his Commentaries upon the second Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians, and did him the honour to call him his Master & instructor. In this mean time his father died, which was the cause that he left the study of the Laws, and returned to Noyon, and then to Paris: where notwithstanding his youth, he was not long unknown, nor without honour, by all such as had any feeling of the truth: he of his part did then resolve to dedicate himself wholly to GOD, and did travail with great profit in such sort, that being in Paris in the time of the Rector named Monsieur Copus, there happened a sedition whereupon he was sent to the Court to be preferred, where he was known and very well received of all those that had any pure affection and sound judgement in those affairs: In the end seeing the miserable estate of the Realm of France, he determined to absent himself and to be where he might live more quietly & according to his conscience. He then departed out of France in the year .1534. and in the same year he caused to imprint at Basil his first instruction as an Apology, dedicated to Frances the first French King of that name, in the behalf of the poor faithful that were persecuted, whom they did most falsely name anabaptists, to excuse them toward the Princes Protestants, of the persecutions that they then used against them. He passed also into Italy, where he saw my Lady the Duchess of Ferrare, yet at this day living, thanks be to God, who when she had seen & heard him, forthwith judged of him as he was, and ever after until his death, did love and honour him as an excellent Organ of the Lord. In his return from Italy the which he had but seen, he pass (in a happy time) thorough this town of Geneva, which not long before had received the Gospel by the preaching of M. William farel, and did mean nothing less than to tarry there, but to pass thorough it and to go to Basil, or else to Strasbourgh. But the Lord being even then willing to prepare away to his so great goodness as his pleasure was to bestow upon his Church by the mean of him, did put in the heart of the said Farel to stay him: which thing was very hard for him to do, in such sort that after many requests & desires he was fain to use adjurations. Then he was contented to stay, not to preach, but to read Divinity, and this came to pass in the year .1536. in the beginning of September. When he was in this sort declared Doctor in this Church by lawful election and authority, he then framed a brief form of Confession and Discipline to give some shape to this new erected Church. He made also a catechism which may be well called one of his excellent works, and hath yielded marvelous fruit, being so well framed, that it was afterward turned out of French into Hebrew to win the jews, into Greek & Latin for the schools, also into Italian, Dutch, English, Scotish and Flemmishe, & also Spanish, for all these nations. These prosperous beginnings did greatly mislike Satan & his, who failed not, (as it was an easy matter to do in the first change of the estate of Religion) to set himself against the proceeding of the Gospel. Albeit that it was received with an oath by all those of this town. Master Calvin on the other side as he was in deed of a noble mind, withstood firmly & constantly with Master Farel, the seditious persons, having also on his side an other good man named Conrant, a Minister also of this Church, being blind of his bodily eyes, but could well see with the eyes of his spirit, whom also the said Calvin had brought from Basil, where he did remain because of the great persecutions, that were in France: The end was such, that the Lord being minded even at once to take his servant out from the press, & to purge this Town of certain seditious people which did abuse the name of the Gospel, to plant his name else where, & last of all to frame his servant by certain experience of things which did afterward stand him in great stead: it was ordained (the greater part of the Counsel not being the best) that the forenamed should departed the town within .24. hours, because that they would not minister the Supper of the Lord in a City that was then so troubled and stirred. When this was declared to the said Calvin, his answer was that if he had served men, he should have been ill recompensed, but he served him, who in stead of evil recompensing his servants, did always give them more than they deserved. And he might justly so say: for he had followed the example of S. Paul, in serving of the Church upon his own charges & cost. He then departed to the great grief of all the good, first to Basil, & then to Strasbourgh, where being received as a treasure, by those excellent men M. Martin Bucer, Capito, Hedio, and others, who at the present did shine as precious Pearls in the Church of God, he there erected a French Church, & therein did establish Ecclesiastical discipline in such sort, as the Almains could never yet attain unto, for their Church, even to this very day: he did also read Divinity with great admiration of every man, & then he began to write upon S. Paul, dedicating his Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans to M. Simon Grinee, who was accounted to be the best learned of the Almaigne nation, & was his great friend: he had also this grace among others, that he brought to the faith a great number of Anabaptists which were sent unto him out of all parts, and among others one named john Stordeur of Liege, who within short time after dying of the Plague at Strasbourgh, he took his widow to wife, whose name was Idelleto de Bure, a very grave and honest woman, with whom he lived afterward very quietly, until our Lord took her away to himself, the year .1548. without having had any child: at the same very time there were holden in Almaigne certain imperial assembles or diets for the matter of Religion, at Worms and at Ratisbone, in the which Calvin was choose for one of the chief by the advise of all the Divines of Almaigne, where he did so behave himself that his renown became great even among the very enemies, and Philip Melancthon among others, did even then receive him into singular friendship which did always last afterward, and did then call him ordinarily the Divine, in token of singular honour. In the mean time the Lord did execute his judgements at Geneva, punishing certain which being in the place of Syndique .1538. were the cause of the banishment of Calvin and Farel, in such sort as one of them being guilty of a sedition, & thinking to save himself thorough a window, did all burst himself, an other of them having committed a murder, was by order of justice beheaded, the other twain being convinced of certain untruth against the state of the town, fled away and were condemned in their absence. When the town was purged of this froth, they began then to bewail Calvin, & he was desired thither again by sundry Ambassades from Geneva, and by the intercession of the Lords of Zuriche, to the Lords of Strasbourgh, who made great difficulty. On the other side Calvin seeing how he profited in Strasbourgh, would in no wise consent thereunto, albeit to declare the good will that he bore to the town, the year .1539. a whole year after his banishment, he maintained the cause thereof or rather of the truth of God against the Cardinal Sadolet, in a large and learned Epistle which is printed among the rest of his works. In th'end he was threatened with the judgements of God if he did not obey to that vocation, in such sort that to the great sorrow of the Lords of Strasbourgh, and especially of Master Bucer and his companions, he was licensed to be at Geneva for a certain time. But when he came thither and was received of singular affection by those poor people which acknowledged their fault, & having a great desire to hear their faithful Pastor, they held him there continually: whereunto in the end the Lords of Strasbourgh consented, upon condition that he should be always a Bourgeois of their town. They would also that he should have had always the revenue of a Prebend which was appointed unto him for his scipende of his reading. But as he was a man clearly void of all greediness of the goods of this world, so could they never bring to pass that he would receive so much as the value of one Denier thereof. And in this sort he was again established at Geneva, the year .1541. the .13. of September, where forthwith he framed an order of Ecclesiastical Discipline, which hath always since continued there firmly, albeit Satan and his adherentes have employed all their forces to abolish it. Now he that would here declare particularly all the travails & pains that this excellent parsonage hath endured since by the space of .23. years as well within as without, he should have matter sufficient to fill a great volume. For if ever there were town furiously assailed by Satan, and valiantly defended during that time, it was Geneva, the honour belongeth only to God, but it ought and may lawfully be said that Calvin hath been the instrument of his virtue & power. If there be question of vigilance, Satan & his could never take him unprovided, but either he hath warned that flock before hand, or else preserved it in the place. If we shall speak of integrity, he is yet unborn, that hath seen him commit any fault in his office, or to yield, be it never so little, for any man living, or to have varied in doctrine or life, nor never misreported man. If we shall speak of labour & pain, I believe that his like is not to be found, beside that he preached continually every day in the week, and most commonly, and as often as he was able, he preached twice every Sunday: he did read divinity three times in a week: he made declaration in the Consistory or as it were a whole lesson every Friday, in conference of the Scripture which we call Congregation, & did continue this order thoroughly without interruption until his death, & in deed never did fail so much as once, except it were by extreme sickness. Further, who is able to recite his travails ordinary and extraordinary, I know not if any man of our time hath had more to hear, to answer, and to write, nor matters of greater importance. The only multitude and number of his books and writings are sufficient to astonish any man that shall see them: but much more those that shall read them. And that which maketh his labours more wonderful, is that he had a body so weak of nature, and so low brought with watchings and overmuch sobriety, yea and being subject to so many diseases, that all men that had seen him, would have thought that he could not have lived at all. And notwithstanding this, he never left of day nor night his travail in the works of the Lord: & he could not endure to hear the requests and exhortations of his friends which they daily made unto him, to the end that he should take some rest. I will allege only two examples. The year .1559. being assailed and marvelously grieved with a fever quartan, he did notwithstanding, in the chiefest of his sickness, set forth the last edition of his Christian Institution, and did translate it thorough out into French. Likewise in his last sicknesses, which were the stone, the gout, the Hemorrhodes, a Phthysike fever, shortness of wind, beside his ordinary disease of the Miegrame, be did himself translate wholly that great volume of his Commentaries upon the four last Books of Moses: examined the translation of the first: made this book upon joshua, and did peruse the greatest part of the translation and annotations of the New Testament, in sor● that he never ceased from writing but only eight days before his death, his voice beginning to fail him. Beside his innumerable pains and his charges, in all the mischiefs and perils, wherein this poor City hath been, assailed within by many mutinous and desperate Citizens, tormented without a hundred thousand ways, threatened by the greatest Kings and Princes of Christendom, because it was always a refuge and defence for all the poor children of God afflicted in France, Italy, Spain, England, and else where, it was so that Calvin bore alway the greatest burden: to be short he might well say with S. Paul, who is he that is troubled & I do not sorrow? And it was not without cause that every man had his refuge to him: for God had adorned him with so wise and good council, that never man repented him of the following of it, but I have known many fall into great and extreme inconveniences which would not believe him. This hath been found so by many experiences and proofs, namely in the seditions that happened the year .48. 54. and .55. to break and disorder the discipline of the Church, where he thrust himself naked in among the sword drawn, and with his presence & words he so frayed the most desperate mutines of them, that they were enforced to praise God. The like was in the conspiracy Catilinarie, which was the very year .55. to have murdered all the French, by the Captain of the town named Amied Perrin and his conspirators, which conjuration carrying with it a marvelous number of dangers and travails, in the end, the Lords of his great grace, by the wisdom of his servant brought it to that pass that it is now at: to wit, to the greatest quietness and felicity that ever this City did know. As touching his ordinary life & diet, every man can witness that it was so temperate, that there was never excess in it, no more was there of niggardize, but a commendable mean, saving that he had always to small regard to his health, being contented for the space of many years with one repast in xxiiij hours, and never receiving any thing between his meals in such sort that all that ever the Physicians could persuade him unto in the point, was that about half a year before his last sickness, he did take at times about noon a little wine and would soup of an egg, the causes were the weakness of his stomach, and the Miegrame, for the which he said he could never find any remedy but a continual diet, in such sort as I have known him oftentimes to eat no meat in two days. Being of so small a diet, he slept very little: & for the more part he was constrained to warm him upon his bed, whereon also he hath made the greatest number of his books, being continually happily occupied in spirit. This is the order that this excellent servant of God did continually observe, forgetting himself to serve God & his neighbour in his vocation & charge: yet could he not so do but the Satan did raise up against him all the shamefullest slanders of the world, but that is no news, for it is the reward that the world in all ages hath given to those that would draw them from perdition. I will not answer those that do call him Heretic and worse than Heretic, (whereupon they have forged a name of calvinists) for his Doctrine maketh answer on the contrary more than sufficiently. Some have charged him with ambition, but if they be able in any point to prove it, I am content to be condemned. Is there any man that hath followed greater simplicity in the exposition of the Scriptures, and hath more wherewith to set himself forth if he would have profaned the Scriptures with subtle and vain ostentations? He would rule all, say they. O villain & false shamelessness: what pre-eminence did he ever seek? & if he had sought it, who could have kept him from it? with whom did he ever strive for the first or the second place, when men have not given unto him that which the gifts and graces that God had given him did require? when hath he been seen alter, be it never so little? when hath it been seen that ever he did abuse his charge and his authority toward the simplest in the world? when did he take in hand any thing without the advise or against the opinion of his companions? To be short, what difference was there ever between him and us, but that he did excel us all in all humility among other virtues, and also in that he took more pain than all we did? was there any man more simply appareled or more modest in all respects? was there any house considering the estate of the man, I do not say less sumptuous, but more slenderly furnished with movables? And if men will not believe me and ten thousand witnesses with me, at the least let them believe the slender wealth of his brother & only heir, and also the inventory of all his goods, and it shall be found that all that ever he left behind him (accounting also his books which were dearly sold because of his precious memory, to all men that were learned) doth not exceed the value of two hundred crowns. These may also answer these shameless evil reporters who have talked so largely, that the one sort said he was a Usurer, the other that he was a very bancker: a matter so worthy of scorn and so falsely raised, that any man that ever did know him, will never require answer to such an untruth. He was so covetous that having in the whole six hundred Florines for his stipend, which doth not all amount to three hundred livres tournois, yea he sought to have less, & the accounts of this Signiory can witness it. He hath been so covetous of this worldly goods, that being in favour, yea & honoured both of Kings, Princes & Lords of many nations, and having dedicated his works to them, I know not (and I think I should have known it if it had been otherwise) that ever he received of them to his use the value of twenty Crowns. Also he had the sacred word of God in such reverence, that he had rather to die than to use it as a bait to Ambition or avarice. He did dedicate his books to private persons, acknowledging some benefit or friendship, as he did a very learned & singular Commentary upon the book of Seneca concerning the virtue of Clemency & gentleness, which he wrote in Paris, being of the age of .24. years, & did dedicate it to one of the Lords of Monmor, with whom he had been brought up, not at their charges notwithstanding. The like he did with his Commentaries upon the Epistle of S. Paul to the Romans, being dedicated to Simon Grinee: upon the first to the Corinthians, to the Lord Marquis Caraciol: upon the second to the Corinthians, to Melchior Volmar his Master that taught him the Greek: upon the first to the Thessalonians, to Mathurin Cordier his governor in the college of S. Barbara at Paris in his first youth: upon the second, to Benet Textor his Physician: upon the Epistle to Tite, to his two singular friends & companions in the work of the Lord, Master William Farel & M. Peter Viret: and the book of offences to Lawrent of Normandy his ancient & continual friend. As concerning the others which he did dedicated to certain Kings, Princes, or common wealths, his meaning was to encourage the one sort to persever in the defence of the children of God, & to stir up the others to the like. Wherefore also when he saw that such men did the contrary, he made not strange to put out their names & to put in others, which only came to pass in two of his Prefaces. This be said as touching this crime of avarice. Others on the other side have reported him to be prodigal & a player, but it was as true as the report of those the charged him with fornication. As concerning prodigality & the fruits thereof, his books will well declare even to the end of the world, of his pastimes, & of the shamelessness of such liars. As concerning whoredom, it is marvel that any man durst so far to stray, as to forge the evil report, were it not that it is a thing accustomed against the most excellent servants of God. But he is yet unborn that ever did suspect him of whom we speak in any place wheresoever he used: he lived about nine years in Marriage very chastely, when his wife was dead, he continued in wydowerhead about the space of xuj years, even to his death. In all that time who is he that ever perceived the least token that might be of so unworthy an act in him? And what woman was there so villain and shameless the durst to behold without shame a forehead so reverend and showing to all men that did behold it, all purity and freedom? Who hath been a more rigorous enemy to whoredom than he? It is true that the Lord hath exercised him touching this matter toward such as touched him near. There hath yet worse happened in the house of jacob and David, than to him of whom we speak, and in a more strange sort. But what did Satan in this behalf gain of the faithful servant of God, but only shame & rebuke to himself in the later day before the seat of the Son of God? And now to them that he had stirred up, to raise such slander, Whoredoms, Adulteries, and incests, are accounted for pastimes and exercises of the wicked ones, in sort, that one of the greatest faults that they find with the reformed Churches, is that there whoredom and adultery is punished: In the mean while if there be any such fault or offence found among us, albeit that it be extremely punished, they accuse us with open mouth. In so doing, (if they said truth,) what other thing do they than blame us in that that we resemble them? But without entering any further into this discourse, it must needs be, (will they or no) confessed that the thieves do not haunt where the Magistrates & Potentates are: but to exercise such things it were more meet to dwell among than where such offence is a virtue. But to return to my purpose, it shallbe well found that this faithful servant of God hath showed to all the world a singular example, in condemning this villain and stinking vice, as well in them as in others: for when there were any found faulty, he had no regard at all without accepting of persons, but to GOD and his Church: and I say nothing in this, but that which all such as did know him well, will testify before God. Theridamas have been others which have named him to be irreconcilable, cruel, and also bloody, which some of them would moderate, naming him only, to severe. The defence is soon made, God be praised, and it should not be necessary, were it not that it shall do well to rebuke some of them for their perversity, and to advertise the others of their ingratitude towards God. I said in the beginning that which I do now say, which is, that he never had enemies but such as did not know him, or else such as made open war against God. I will bring forth to witness the same, a proof more than sufficient, it is, that hardly may there be any man found in our time of his calling, against whom Satan hath made more cruel war by all kinds of outrages, but he never pursued any man in any court nor attempted the law against any, no, he never sought any revenge: also he never had house nor inheritance, nor never did deal with any traffic or occupying whatsoever it be, but it is very true that when they banded against the doctrine of God which he taught, he would never yield in any thing, but would according to the holy laws that be here established, prosecute, that the mockers of God might be handled according to their desert. But which are they that will blame that, but only those that do transform a virtue most rare and singular, into a vice overmuch common and hurtful. By the way, what if I say, and may lawfully say it in deed, that a number even of those against whom he hath been enforced to stand for matters before recited, have honoured his constancy by their own testimonies? I could name at the least three, which I will not name, notwithstanding two of them being brought to punishment for their faults & offences, did in the sight of all the people, think all the honour & thanks that they might yield unto him during the same, not to be sufficient, calling him their Father, crying out, saying, that they were unworthy of his presence, advertisements & prayers, considering they had not hearkened to his fatherly admonitions. The third being in his bed sick even to death, who had been during his life the counsellor of all these strayed ones, could never be persuaded the God would forgive him, if the his faithful servant, whom he had so much offended, did not also forgive him. So far were these men of from charging him either with cruelty or overmuch severity. I confess that he hath always showed the Magistrates, how detestable that accepting of persons is in the sight of God, that they must hold the Balance aright: & that God abhorreth not only those which do condemn the innocent, but also those which pardon the offender. Now if it be vice to say so, & to put it in use, the holy Ghost must then be condemned who hath so said: or if it be otherwise, such blasphemers that do call the ordinance of God, cruelty, must have their mouths stopped. But, say they, he was over rigorous against adulterers and heretics. I may well answer that which is true, as all the town doth know, that he never judged any man, for it was not his office, and he never thought to do it: & if they have demanded his advise, not to confound the estates which God hath divided, but to be governed according to the word of the Lord. I know well that I might avouth it, if I said that they have not always followed his counsel. But leaving that, what are these merciful censors able to allege, when I shall say unto them that which is true, which is, that there was never yet good government in any common wealth wherein adultery hath not been judged worthy of death: and yet it can not be proved that any one simple adulterer hath been punished in this City by death. As concerning Heretics, where is, I pray you, that great rigour? where is it that this bloody man hath showed one jot of a bloody nature? There are few towns of Guisse and of Almaigne where they have not put anabaptists to death, and lawfully: they have been contented here with banishment. Bolsec hath here blasphemed against the providence of God. Sebastian Castalion hath here spoken evil of the very books of the holy Scriptures. Valentine hath here blasphemed against the essence of God: None of them have here been put to death, two of them were only banished, the other was set free by an honourable amends toward God and the signory. Where is this cruelty? Only one servet was put to the fire. And who was ever more worthy than that wicked one, having for the space of thirty years in so many sundry sorts blasphemed against the Eternity of the Son of God, giving the name of Cerberus, to the Trinity of the three persons in one only Divine essence, making the baptism of young children of no value, having gathered and heaped together all the filthy stinks that ever Satan did vomit out against the truth of God, having seduced an infinite number of persons, and for the chief and principal of all his wickednesses, would never neither repent in giving place to the truth, whereby he had been so often times convinced, nor show any token of conversion. And if we should come to the judgement of the Churches, who would not rather allow that which all the Churches of Almaigne, and namely Philip Melancthon a man greatly renowned for his meekness, hath not only spoken, but also published by writing, the praise of so just an execution? To end this matter, they which discommend such an act, could neither better set forth their ignorance in blaming that which deserveth singular commendation, nor yet their rashness, when they deal with him who did but the office of a faithful Pastor, putting the Magistrate in mind of his duty, endeavouring him by all means to bring such a wicked man to some amendment, and in the end, not forgetting any thing that might let that such a pestilence should not infect his flock. There are others which have reported him to be very choleric, I will not make of a man an Angel, yet notwithstanding, because I do know how marvelously God hath been served by that same very vehemency, I ought not to keep silent that which is true, and that I do know. Beside his own natural inclination to choler, his wit being marvelous prompt, the folly of many, the multitude and infinite variety of the affairs for the Church of GOD: and toward the later end of his life, his great and continual diseases, had made him unquiet and froward: but sure he was far of from any delight therein, for on the contrary, no man did better perceive nor so much find it as did he. This be said concerning his life and conversation in his house, in whom this only default (that ever I knew) was tempered with so great and amiable virtues, and so seldom or never at all accompanied with other vices which are always wont to follow the same, that he never offended any of his friends neither in word nor deed. But as touching in public concerning the charge that GOD had committed unto him, it is there that I must needs marvel at the great wisdom of God, turning all things to his glory, and chiefly in his most singular instruments and Organs. Such as have seen and known with what kind of men he hath most commonly had to do, the things that God hath declared and done by him, the circumstances of times and places, they in deed may judge whereto such a vehemency, I say, a vehemency in deed Prophetical, did serve and shall serve to all posterity. And that which made him ●ore marvelous, was, that neither having nor seeking any thing less than that which is so much required by those that would be feared by mean of an outward appearance, the most obstinate and perverse were constrained to bend under the great power of God, which did compass about his faithful servant. They which shall read his writings, and shall rightly seek the glory of God, shall there see this majesty (whereof I speak) to shine. As concerning such as do at this day handle religion, as they do politic affairs, which are more cold than ice in God's cause, and more inflamed than the fire, in that which concerneth their particular causes, and which do call all the choler, which is more frankly spoken than they would, even as he never sought to please such men, even so do I think it not meet to stand about the answering of them. What would these wise & temperate men say then, (seeing there is no question but of God,) if they had more earnestly felt such a choler? I am sure they would have been also on their part as evil contented, as I do think, and shall think myself happy during my life, to have enjoyed so great and so rare a virtue, both openly & privately. Even as I could never be weary of solacing myself in the absence of so worthy and excellent a parsonage, in representing him unto me by the discourse of his rare and exquisite virtues: no more can I without very great sorrow, make an end of that which resteth, and may notwithstanding in no wise be left untouched, for so much as it is, as it were, the crown and beauty of all his life. Beside that God did place this great wisdom and understanding in a weak body, and disposed of itself to the disease of the Pthysike, whereof he also died: the studies of his youth had made him very lean and weak, and when he came once to the affairs, he had always so small respect concerning the travail of his mind, that without the special grace of GOD, (whom it pleased to build his Church by the means of that instrument) it had not been possible for him to have come to the age which the Physicians do call the declining. The year .1558. being required by the Lords of Franckfort to make a voyage thither, to appease and provide remedy for certain troubles that were in the French Church, which was newly received in to that town: at the return of this long & travaylsome voyage, he had a tertian fever, very sharp, which was as it were the first push at his health: in such sort that in the year of our health .1559. he was assailed with a long and perilous fever quartan, during the which, to his great grief, he was enforced to abstain from both preaching and reading: but he was never unoccupied in his house, what counsel so ever men gave him, in sort that during that time, he began and ended his last Christian institution both in Latin and in French, whereof we will speak in the conclusion. This sickness brought him so low, that never afterward he could recover his full health, he drew ever afterward his right leg after him, which oftentimes did greatly grieve him: his ancient diseases put them in order also: to wit, the head ache, and great rawnesses which caused a continual defluxion: he was also grieved with the Hemorrhoids, so much the more in that that at some other time by chance that part was made very weak: the cause was for that he never suffered his mind to rest. He had a continual unperfect digestion, whereunto he never gave any heed, but when the disease compelled him. The colliques also followed, and then in the end the gout and the rest. Beside this, by straining himself, and by a gnawing defluxion, he fell into a spitting of blood, which did weaken him to the uttermost. In the midst of so many diseases, it is a thing very strange that this sharpness of Spirit was rather letted than diminished, and this dexterity of judgement nothing altered. There was only this evil, that the body could not follow the spirit, albeit that he did sometime enforce himself, until the time that he was so grieved with the shortness of his wind, that with great pain he was scarcely able to remove him two or three paces. The Physicians employed all their industry, and he on his side did follow their counsel to the uttermost, notwithstanding his griefs & so many diseases together mingled. But it was all in vain, as he did always say, looking up to Heaven, speaking often these words, Lord how long? And then in the end he remained without stirring, having yet the use of his speech, but could not long speak or continue any purpose by mean of the shortness of his breath, yet notwithstanding this, he ceased not to labour. For in this last sickness, as hath been above said, he did wholly translate out of Latin into french, his Harmony upon Moses, did peruse the Translation of Genesis, wrote upon this book of joshua: and in the end did peruse and correct the greatest part of the French notes upon the New Testament, which other men had before hand gathered. Beside this he was always occupied in the affairs of the churches, answering by word and by writing, when occasion required: all be it that on our part we made request unto him, praying him to have greater regard to himself: but his answer was always to us, that the which he did was nothing, requiring us to suffer, that God mought find him always watching and labouring according to his ability in his work, even to his last breath. The xxv. of April, he made his Testament in brief sort, as he did always avoid the use of more words than needed, as much as in him was. which doth contain an excellent and singular testimony for ever, that he spoke as he believed, which was the cause that I did willingly infer this same, word by word, by the consent of his brother and only heir Antony Calvin, to the end that this act may remain for ever, as it hath pleased God that the Testaments of some of his most excellent servants have been enregistered, to be perpetual witnesses, that one very spirit of God did govern them, both in their life, and in their death: and also to make the better known the extreme shamelesseness of such as would bear men in hand that his death was not according to his life. And if any man do think any thing to be herein other than troth, I will not stand much in saying against him: only I do give him warning whatsoever he be, to think what thing it is, that may be true and firm among living men, if it be lawful for a man to doubt that which hath been done in a Town, in the sight and knowledge of such as would hear or understand it.   

The Testament and last Will of Master john Calvin.  
IN the name of God. Be it known and apparent to all men, that in the year 1564. and the .25. day of April, I Peter Chevelat, Citizen and Notary sworn of Geneva, was called by the famous john Calvin, minister of the word of God in the church of Geneva, and Burgess of the said Geneva, being sick and weak of his body only: the same man declared to me that he would make his Testament and declaration of his last will, desiring me to write it accordingly, as he should speak and pronounce it: which according to his request, I made, and wrote it by him, and accordingly as he spoke and pronounced it to me, word by word, without leaving any thing out, or adding any thing there unto, in form as followeth.  
IN the name of God, I john Calvin Minister of the word of God, in the Church of God of Geneva, (feeling myself greatly oppressed with sundry diseases, that I can not otherwise think, but that God will shortly take me out of this world) have determined to make and put in writing my Testament and declaration of my last will, in form following: which is, first of all, that I give thanks to God, for that he hath not only had pity on me his poor creature, to take me from out of the bottomless pit of Idolatry, (wherein I was plunged,) to draw me to the light of his Gospel, and to make me partaker of the doctrine of salvation, whereof I was to much unworthy: and that continuing his mercy, he hath spared me in so many vices and wickedness, which did well deserve that I should be cast of from him, an hundred thousand times: yea and that which more is, he hath stretched his mercy towards me so far, as to be served by me and my labour, to bear and to show forth the truth of his Gospel, protesting that I will live and die in that Faith which he hath given me, having no other hope nor refuge but only to his free adoption, wherein my whole salvation is laid, embracing the grace that he hath given me in our Lord jesus Christ, accepting the merit of his death and passion, to the end that thereby all my sins may be buried, and beseeching him so to wash and purge me with the blood of this great redeemer, which was poured out for all poor sinners, that I may appear before his face, as bearing his Image. I protest also that I have endeavoured me, (according to the measure of the grace that he hath given me) to teach purely his word, as well in Sermons as in writing, and to expound the holy Scriptures faithfully. And likewise in all the disputations that I have had with the enemies of the truth, I never used cautel nor Sophistry, but have proceeded plainly in the maintenance of his quarrel. But alas, the will that I have had, and the zeal, if I mought so call it, hath been so cold and slack, that I find me greatly indebted in all, and thorough all: and were not his infinite goodness, all the affection that I have had, were nothing else but smoke: yea those graces which he hath bestowed upon me, would yield me more faulty: so that my recourse is, to that that he being father of mercy, will be, and show himself father of so poor a sinner. As concerning the rest, I desire that after my decease, my body may be buried according to the custom, to abide and wait for the day of the blessed resurrection. Concerning the small portion of goods, which God hath given me here to dispose, I do ordain and appoint for my only heir, my well-beloved brother, Antony Calvin, only for credits sake, giving him for all his part, the cup that I had of Monsieur de Varranes, praying him therewith to content himself (as I am assured he will) seeing that he knoweth well that I do it for no cause else, but to the end that that little which I leave, may remain to his children. Then, I bequeath to the College ten Crowns, and to the purse of the poor strangers as much. Also to jane, daughter to Charles Costan, & of my half sister, to wit on the father's side, the sum of ten Crowns. Then to Samuel and john, sons to my said brother, every of them .40. Crowns, & to my Nieces, Anne, Susan and Dorothee, either of them .30. Crowns. As touching my Nephew David their brother, because he hath been always light & rash, I give him but .20. Crowns for his chastisement. It is in effect all the goods that God hath given me, according to my rate and estimation, as well of my Books and movables, with vessel and all other things. Notwithstanding, if it amount to more, I would it were distributed among my Nephews and Nieces, not excluding at all David, if God give him grace to become more modest and stayed But I believe as touching this article, there shallbe no great a do, namely when my debts shall be paid, wherewith I have charged my brother, upon whom I trust, naming him executor of this present Testament, with reverend Laurent of Normandy: giving them full power and authority, to make an Inuentorye without form of law, and to sell my movables, to make money to fulfil the contents of this my will, written this .25. of April .1564. So is it, john Calvin. After that it was written as before, at the very instant, the said renowned Calvin did seal it with his own seal, as soon as it was written. And on the morrow being the .26. of April, the year above written, the said renowned Calvin did cause me to be called again to him, being there together present, these famous men, Theodore de Beza, Raymond Chawet, Michael Cop. Lois Enoch, Nicolas Coladon, jaques de Boards, Ministers of the word of God in this Church, and that famous man Henry Scringer professor of Arts, all Burgeoses of Geneva, in the presence of whom he declared that he had caused me to write by him and after his pronunciation, the said Testament in the very form and words above written: praying me to read it in his presence and in the presence of them that were there required and desiced to the same effect: which I did all aloud word by word: after the reading whereof, he declared that such was his will and last disposition, willing to have the same observed, and (for the better auctorizing hereof) did desire and request the above named to subscribe the same with me, which was also done the day and year above written, in Geneva, in the street called the canons street, and in his dwelling house, In witness whereof, and for proof of the same, (as reason is) I have written in the form aforesaid, this present Testament, to make him ready for whom so ever the execution thereof shall belong unto, under the common seal of our very honourable Lords and Superiors, & mine accustomed Sign manuel, So is it signed. P. Chevelat.  
Seeing that the shortness of his wind did increase more and more, he desired my Lords the four Sindiques, and the whole little ordinary Counsel, as they are called, to come and see him together: and when they were come, he made to them an excellent declaration of the singular graces that they had received of God, and of the great and extreme dangers from the which they had been preserved, which he could well declare to them from point to point, as he that knew the whole better than any man, and did put them in mind of divers necessary things concerning God, touching the government of their charge: to be short, he did the office of a true servant and Prophet of God, protesting the sincerity of the doctrine that he had taught them, assuring them against the tempests that were at hand, if they would continued on from good to better. And then he desired them in general & in particular, to pardon all his offences, which none ever found so grievous as he did: he took them all by the hand, I know not whether there mought have happened to these Lords a more doleful spectacle or sight, which they all did esteem, (& good cause why, concerning his charge,) as the mouth of the Lord, & in their affection, as their own father, seeing that he had known and framed a great piece of their youth. The Friday the .20. of April, all the brethren Ministers both of the town and country being advertised at his request, came together to his chamber, to whom he gave a great and long exhortation, whereof the substance and effect was, that they should persever in the well doing of their duty after his Death, and that they should not faint, seeing GOD would both maintain the town and his Church, albeit they were threatened in many behalfs: and also that they should suffer no malice or displeasure to reign among them, but charity by all means possible, and that they should be of perfect accord among themselves, & that they should acknowledge how greatly they were bound to that Church, into the which God had called them, and that there ought nothing to turn them back: for those which have tasted the truth and will leave it, may find excuses under the ground, but God will not be mocked. To this he added a recital of his entry and coming to this Church, and of his conversation therein: saying, that when he came thither, the Gospel was there preached, but things were far out of order, & that the greatest fruit that the Gospel had brought forth, was the breaking down of the Idols: but there were there many wicked people, & he was enforced to receive many injuries: but God did always strengthen him to go thorough with it, albeit that of his own nature he was fearful: and he repeated twice or thrice these words, I assure you that of mine own nature I am timorous & fearful. Also he put them in remembrance, that when he came from Strausbourgh hither, he entered into this vocation as by constraint, and seeing no great likelihood of any fruit to come, nor yet knowing what God would work in that behalf, and in deed that he had passed many hard things, but continuing on still, in time he saw the blessing of God upon his labour: he would then that every man should wax strong in his vocation, and keep good order, and that they should have good regard to the people to hold them in continual obedience of the true doctrine, and that they had always among them Godly men, albeit that it could not be avoided, but that there must be evil persons and rebels among them also, & that this should show us very faulty in the sight of God, if the things being come to so good pass, should afterward fall into decay by our negligence. As touching the rest, he protested that he had ever been of one true affection with the company of his brethren, and desired them to pardon him if that at any time they had seen in him any frowardness during his sickness, and gave them great thanks, (as often times he used,) for that they did supply his place in preaching. In the end he took them by the hand one after another, which was with so great sorrow and bitterness of heart to every of them, that I can not call it to mind without great and extreme sorrowfulness.  
The second of Maij, having received letters from M. William farel, Minister at neufchastel, (of whom heretofore hath been made mention,) and understanding that he was minded to visit him, being of the age of four Score year and more, he wrote to him in this sort.  
Be it well with you my very good and dear Brother: and seeing that it pleaseth GOD that you shall remain after me, well may you live, having always in mind our Unity, the fruit whereof attendeth upon us in Heaven, according to the profit thereof that the Church of GOD hath enjoyed. I will in no wise that you travail to see me, for I draw my breath with great pain, and do continually look when my breath shall fail me. It is sufficient that I live and die to CHRIST, which is a gain to his both in life and death, I commend you again to God with all the Brethren in those parts. From Geneva this second of Maij .1564. By wholly yours john Calvin.  
From that time forth his sickness even to his death was nothing else but a continual Prayer, notwithstanding that he was always in pains, having often times in his mouth these words of the Psalm .39. Tacui Domine quia fecisti. I held my peace O Lord, because it is thou that hast done it. Other times he would say of the .38. Chapter of Esay. Gemebam sicut Columba, I did lament as doth the Dove. Another time speaking to me, he said and cried out, Lord thou punnishest me, but it is sufficient for me that it is thy hand. Many were desirous to come and see him, but it had been needful to have kept the gate open day & night, to have fulfilled their desire. But he foreseeing that, and knowing that the shortness of wind would not suffer him to do that which willingly he would: beside that also, not well liking the curiosity of many, he besought them to content themselves and to pray to God for him, and to suffer him somewhat to rest: yea, when I came to see him, albeit that I was very welcome to him, yet notwithstanding, considering my charge that I had, he gave me to understand fully, that he would not in any wise that his particular cause should occupy me in any respect: in such sort that taking leave of me, he would often say that he made conscience to let me, were it never so little, albeit that he was glad to see me: but his nature was always such, that he feared to stay (were it never so little) the profit of the church, and to trouble the lest that mought be his friends, although there were nothing in the world more acceptable to them than to employ themselves to do him pleasure.  
He continued in this sort, comforting himself and his friends, until the Friday the nineteen. of Maij, next before the Supper of Pentecoste, on the which day because it was the custom of this Church, that all the Ministers should assemble them to yield as it were an account of their life and doctrine, and then in token of friendship they take their repast together, he was contented that the supper should be made at his house, where he causing himself to brought in a chair, as he entered in among them he spoke these words, My brethren I come now to see you for my farewell: for after this time I will never come more to table. This was to us a piteous entry, albeit that he himself said the prayer as well as he could, & enforced him to make us merry, not being able to eat but very little: yet before supper was ended, he took his leave, and caused himself to be carried again into his chamber, which was at hand speaking these words with as pleasant a countenance as he could, A wall between both shall not let at all, but that I will be joined with you in spirit. It came to pass even as he had said: for until that very day, what disease so ever he had, he would be taken out of his bed and brought in a chair to his little table, but after this night he never shifted from lying upon his back, so greatly weakened, notwithstanding that he was lean of himself, that there remained in manner nothing but only life, saving that he was very little changed of face: but chief the shortness of his wind did so trouble him, that it caused his continual prayers and consolations rather to seem sighs than words to be understood: and he was of such a countenance, that his only look did plainly testify with what faith and hope he was furnished. The day that he died it seemed that he spoke better and more at his ease, but it was the last enforcement of nature: for that night about eight of the clock, even suddenly, appeared the tokens of present Death, whereof I had speedily word, (for I was but newly departed from him,) & running thither with certain of my brethren, as soon as I came, I found that he had already yielded up his spirit, so quietly that he did never rattle, but spoke plainly even to his very death, with perfect understanding and judgement, without ever stirring hand or foot: he seemed rather to be a sleep than dead. Behold as in an instant how that very day the sun did set, and the greatest light that was in the world for the building of the Church of GOD, was taken into Heaven. And we may well say that in our time by one only man it hath pleased God to reach us both to live & to die well. The Night following, and the Day also, there was great lamentation throughout the town: For the whole body thereof did bewail the Prophet of the Lord: the poor flock of the Church did weep for the departing of their faithful Pastor: The School lamented her true Master and teacher: and all in general did bewail their very father and comforter next unto God. Many desired that they might see yet once his face, as men that could not leave him neither dead nor living. There were also divers strangers newly come from far of to see him, which when they could not, for that men thought that he would not so soon have died, desired greatly to see him dead as he was, and made great instance: but to avoid all evil reports and speech, he was buried about eight of the clock in the morning, and at two of the clock at afternoon according as he had appointed, he was carried according to the custom, to the common Churchyard called the great or large Palace, without pomp or any ado at all, where he now lieth abiding the resurrection, which he hath taught us, and hath so constantly hoped for. The body was accompanied by the greatest part of those that were in the town, of men of all estates, which did the more lament him, because there was small likelihood to recover (at the least of a long time,) such a great loss. He lived as touching this mortal life, the space of six and fifty years, lacking one month and thirteen Days. Whereof he spent the just one half in the holy ministery, preaching and writing, without ever changing any thing, or diminishing or adding to or from the doctrine that he taught the first day of his Ministry, with such power of the Spirit of God, that never wicked man was able to hear him without trembling, nor good man without loving and honouring him.  
There resteth now no more but even as it hath pleased God to make him to speak continually by his so learned and holy writings, that he may so be heard of the posterity to the end of the world, at what time we shall see our God even as he is, to live and to reign eternally with him. So be it.  
From Geneva this .19. of August .1564.   

¶ Advertisement.  
FOR because that there is none of the Faithful, who would not gladly understand the truth of the number of Books that have been written by the late M. john Calvin, to the end that hereafter men be not deceived, as is well known that the like hath happened to the writings of great and excellent personages that men have falsely set forth others under their name: It hath seemed therefore good to join to this a Catalogue, as well of his books and writings in Latin & French already Imprinted, as of those that yet are not, at the least of as many as may be called to mind.  
Those which are not yet in French are marked with this mark. *.   

The Catalogue of the Books and writings of Master john Calvin.  

Commentaries and lessons in Latin and French all ready imprinted upon the old Testament.  
Upon Genesis.  
Upon the other four Books of Moses in form of Harmony.  
Upon the Book of joshua.  
Upon all the Psalms.  
Upon Isaiah.  
* Upon jeremy.  
Upon Daniel.  
Upon the twelve that are called little Prophets.   

Upon the new Testament, also imprinted.  
Upon the three Evangelists in form of Harmony.  
Upon Saint john.  
Upon the Acts of the Apostles.  
Upon all the Epistles of Saint Paul.  
Upon the Epistle to the hebrews.  
Upon the Epistles Canonical of S. Peter, Saint john, Saint james and S. jude.   

The Catalogue of his Sermons imprinted, which men gathered when he preached.  

Upon job.  
Upon the Commandments.  
Upon the Octonaries of the 119. Psalm.  
Upon the song of Ezechias in the .38. ca of Esay.  
Upon the beginning of the Harmony of the three Evangelists.  
Upon the .10. and .11. chapters of the first Epistle to the Corinthians.  
Upon the Epistle to the Galathians.  
Upon the Epistle to the Ephesians.  
Upon the Epistles to Timothe & to Tite.  
Also many Sermons of the Birth, Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord jesus Christ.  
Four Sermons entreating of matters very profitable for our time.  
A Congregation made in the Church of Geneva, of the providence and eternal election of God.   

Sermons upon the old Testament not imprinted.  
Upon Genesis.  
Upon Deuteronomie.  
Upon the two books of Samuel.  
Upon the first book of the Kings.  
Upon many Psalms.  
Certain sums of Congregations made upon joshua, gathered even as he did entreat of and handle the texts.  
Upon isaiah.  
Upon jeremy.  
Upon Ezechiel.  
Upon the later eight chapters of Daniel.  
Upon seven of the twelve little Prophets.   

Upon the New Testament.  
Certain Sermons more upon the Harmony of the three Evangelists.  
Upon the Acts.  
Upon the two Epistles to the Corinthians.  
Upon the Epistle to the Thessalonians.  
Upon certain chapters of the end of the Epistle to the hebrews.   

Lessons in French not yet Imprinted.  
Upon the Psalms, from the .37. to the end.  
Upon jeremy.  
Upon the .20. first chapters of Ezechiel as well in Latin as in French.    

A Catalogue of other Books & treatises which he hath made in sundry times and sundry places.  

* A Commentary upon the Book of Seneca, touching the virtue of Clemency.  
His Christian Institution.  
A treatise against the error of such as think that the souls do sleep after they be departed from the body, unto the last judgement.  
Two Epistles, the one to flee Idolatry, the other of the duty of a Christian man.  
An answer to the letter which the Cardinal Sadolet wrote to the Lords and people of Geneva.  
A treatise of the supper of the Lord.  
* Certain verses in Latin of the victory of jesus Christ.  
A catechism for the instruction of Children.  
A manner of Administration of the Sacraments, with the common prayers, and the manner how to celebrate the Marriage.  
A defence of the pure doctrine concerning free will, against the calumnies of Albert Pighius.  
Annotations upon the fatherly advertisement made by the Pope Paul the third to the Emperor Charles the fift.  
Antidote or preservative against the articles of the faculty of the Sorbonistes of Paris.  
A treatise or supplication to the Emperor concerning the necessity of the reformation of the Church.  
Against the anabaptists and Libertines, with an Epistle to the faithful of Rouen, against a Friar a Libertine.  
An Advertisement concerning the bodies & Relics of Saints & what profit there cometh of them if they be diligently kept.  
A treatise in fly superstitions, with the excuse of the false Nicodemites, with the answer of the Ministers of Zuriche.  
Antidote to the Acts of the counsel of Trent.  
The very true mean to pacify that troubles & to reform the Church against the Interim.  
An Advertisement against the Astrology judicial, and such curiosities, which at this day hear the sway in manner thorowoute the world.  
An agreement concerning the Sacraments.  
A treatise of Offences.  
Of the eternal Providence of God.  
Against the detestable errors of Michael servet a spaniard.  
* Three advertisements to Westphalus.  
* Against Hethusius and the error of Stancarus.  
* Against Valentin Gentil.  
* Answer to the calumnies which Sebastian Castalion did sow abroad.  
* An other short answer to other calumnies of the same man.  
A Congratulation to the reverend priest, Master Gabriel de Sacoman, of the Church of Lions chief Minister.  
* An answer to a certain fine and subtle Neutre.  
* An answer to the outrages of Francis Baldwin an Apostate.  
* A short Advertisement to the Faithful of Polonia.  
* An Epistle to the foresaid, for the Confirmation of the said Advertisement.  
An answer to a certain Hollander, written to the people of the low country.  
A Reformation to put to silence a certain rascal named Antony Catalan.  
A Confession of the faith in the name of all the reformed Churches of the Realm of France, made during the Wars, to deliver to the Emperor.  
Also a great number of Letters, counsels, advertisements and answers, as well in Latin as in French, to divers people of sundry quality and estate: wherein is entreated of divers matters, which (one day if it please God that it may be set forth into light) men may then better see what was the wisdom, promptness, singular judgement, and the marvelous and divine graces, that were in this Faithful Servant of God.    
Finis.   

Faults escaped in the first Sheet.  
A three leaf, ij. side, iij. line, for more read me.  
A four leaf, first side, x. line. for that read the.  
A .v. leaf, ij. fide, xvij. line, for any read every.  
A vij leaf, ij. side, vj. line, for Guise read Swiss, & for Guisians read Grisons.   

Imprinted at London in Whitecrosse street by Henry Denham, for Lucas Harrison, dwelling in Paul's Chuchyarde, at the Sign of the Crane.  
Anno Domini. 1564 Novembris .4.,