(July to September, 1541.)
Repeal of the Sentence of Banishment by the General Council—Letter from the Syndics and Council of Geneva to the Pastors and Councils of Zurich and Basel—Severity of their Language—Its Expression of the common Feeling—All Difficulties removed by Letters from Geneva—Calvin’s Motto—His departure from Strasburg—His Stay at Neuchâtel—At Berne—Arrival at Geneva—Ostentation avoided—Calvin’s House—What he had acquired at Strasburg—His Appearance before the Council—Going forward—Commission of the Ordinances—Beginning of Calvin’s work—Assistance of Farel and Viret requested—The Grace of God and the Work of Man—A Day of Humiliation—The Truth with Charity [42]
CHAPTER XXII.
THE ECCLESIASTICAL ORDINANCES.
(September, 1541.)
Project of the Ordinances—Its Presentation to the Councils—Passed in the General Council—Spirit and Purpose of the Ordinances—Calvin’s Model the Primitive Church—Geneva an Evangelical Stronghold—The Christian Life—Remonstrances—The Ministry—Instruction of the Young—The Poor and the Sick—Prisoners—Election of Pastors—The Ministers’ Oath—The Doctors—The Elders—The Consistory—Worship—Common Prayer—Discipline—Manner of judging of this Discipline—Government of the Church of Geneva—Theocracy and Democracy—State Omnipotence—Government of the Church assumed by the State—Calvin not responsible—The Danger unseen by him [60]
CHAPTER XXIII.
CALVIN’S PREACHING.
Preaching Calvin’s Principal Office—Two to Three Thousand Sermons—His Exposition of Holy Scripture—Quotations—How a young Man shall cleanse his Way—The Love of Money—A Stranger on the Earth—Transitory Devotion—Self-love—The lost Lamb—God’s Will that all should be Saved—His Grace unbounded—How to come to God—The Blood of Christ—Predestination—Ignorance of it is Learning—No political Part played by Calvin—His clear Conception of the Evangelical Ministry [81]
CHAPTER XXIV.