In his reply to the Council begging him to return to Geneva Calvin wrote, October 23rd, 1540
I am in singular perplexity; having the desire to meet your wish, and to wrestle with all the grace that God has given me to get her brought back into a better condition.
On the other hand, I cannot slightingly quit, or lay down lightly, the charge to which the Lord has called me, without being relieved of it by regular and lawful means. For so have I always believed and taught, and to the present moment cannot persuade myself to the contrary, that when our Lord appoints a man as pastor in a church to teach in His Word, he ought to consider himself as engaged to take the government of it, so that he may not lightly withdraw from it, or without the settled testimony in his own heart, and the testimony of the faithful, that the Lord has discharged him.
To Viret he wrote: I could not read one part of your letter without a laugh. It is that in which you exhibit so much care for my prosperity. Shall I then go to Geneva to peace? Why not rather submit to be crucified? It would be better to perish at once than to be tormented in that chamber of torture. If you wish indeed my welfare, dear Viret, cease from such advice as this.
To Farel he wrote: Who will not pardon me, if I do not again willingly throw myself into a whirlpool which I have found so dangerous.
I am in singular perplexity; having the desire to meet your wish, and to wrestle with all the grace that God has given me to get her brought back into a better condition.
On the other hand, I cannot slightingly quit, or lay down lightly, the charge to which the Lord has called me, without being relieved of it by regular and lawful means. For so have I always believed and taught, and to the present moment cannot persuade myself to the contrary, that when our Lord appoints a man as pastor in a church to teach in His Word, he ought to consider himself as engaged to take the government of it, so that he may not lightly withdraw from it, or without the settled testimony in his own heart, and the testimony of the faithful, that the Lord has discharged him.
To Viret he wrote: I could not read one part of your letter without a laugh. It is that in which you exhibit so much care for my prosperity. Shall I then go to Geneva to peace? Why not rather submit to be crucified? It would be better to perish at once than to be tormented in that chamber of torture. If you wish indeed my welfare, dear Viret, cease from such advice as this.
To Farel he wrote: Who will not pardon me, if I do not again willingly throw myself into a whirlpool which I have found so dangerous.
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