=STUDY OF GREEK.=
Calvin, whose exalted soul was attracted by all that is beautiful, became attached to this distinguished professor. His father had sent him to study civil law; but Wolmar 'solicited him to devote himself to a knowledge of the Greek classics.' At first Calvin hesitated, but yielded at last. 'I will study Greek,' he said, 'but as it is you that urge me, you also must assist me.' Melchior answered that he was ready to devote to him abundantly, not only his instruction, but his person, his life, himself.[28] From that time Calvin made the most rapid progress in Greek literature. The professor loved him above all his pupils.[29] In this way he was placed in a condition to become the most illustrious commentator of Scripture. 'His knowledge of Greek,' adds Beza, 'was of great service to all the Church of God.' What Cordier had been to him for Latin, Wolmar was for Greek.
[1] 'Jurisconsultorum Gallorum princeps.'—Bezæ Vita Calvini.
[2] 'Jam dedisti nomen inter rei litterariæ professores.'—Calvinus Chemino, Berne MSS. This letter will be found in the Letters of John Calvin, published in English at Philadelphia, by the learned Dr. Jules Bonnet, to whom I am indebted for the communication of the Latin manuscripts.
[3] 'In ea natus es dexteritate, quæ nihil imprudenter præjudicare soleat.'—Calvinus Chemino.
[4] 'Mi Chemine! amice mi! mea vita charior!'—Calvinus Chemino.
[5] 'Vide ne desidem te faciat tuus pudor!'—Ibid.
[6] Le Maire, Antiquités d'Orléans, i. p. 388.—Theod. Beza von Baum, i. p. 27.
[7] 'Ille quasi stella matutina in medio nebulæ et quasi sol refulgens emicuit.'—Bimbenet, Histoire de l'Université des Lois d'Orléans, p. 357.
[8] Ibid. pp. 354-357.