[494] On the back is written:—"To my brother and friend Master John ... deacon of the Church of Lausanne, or to Master Peter Viret, to put into his hands." Below, in Viret's hand:—"Calvin to John Cavent, deacon of Lausanne." Letter not dated, but written shortly after Calvin's journey to Strasbourg and his visit to M. de Falais, that is, in June 1545.
[495] Christophe Fabri, minister of the Church of Thonon.
[496] On the back is written in M. de Falais's hand—"Answered, 18th July 1545, at Strasbourg."
[497] Calvin refers to the purchase of a house at Geneva for M. de Falais.
[498] Jean, Seigneur de Fromont and Han-sur-Sambre, brother of M. de Falais.
[499] See note 1, p. 463.
[500] Hurt at the new attacks which Luther began to direct against their doctrine in his Short Confession upon the Supper, (see Letter CXXII.,) the ministers of Zurich published in 1545 an Apology, intituled:—"Orthodoxa Tigurinaæ Ecclesiæ Ministrorum Confessio, una cum æqua et modesta responsione ad vanas et offendiculi plenas D. Martini Lutheri calumnias, condemnationes et convitia, etc...."—Hospinian, Hist. Sacrament., tom. ii. p. 354. Provoked by Luther's violence, this reply irritated the zealous Lutherans, afflicted Melanchthon, delighted the adversaries of the Reform by the unseemly divisions which had got the upper hand among them.
[501] Claude de Senarclens returned to Geneva loaded with testimonials of affection from the German Reformers. In the Town Library of Geneva there is an Album preserved, containing pious inscriptions of several of the Reformers, which he had brought away with him in the course of his travels.
[502] The sentence of the Parliament of Aix had been carried into effect, and those of the unfortunate Vaudois who had escaped the massacre which befell their brethren were pursued as heretics, buried alive in the dungeons, or condemned to the galleys. Some of them arrived at Geneva, and there found a generous refuge and assistance. 14th May 1545.—"The minister of Merindol, with some others, arrived in this town, flying from the persecutions, and in great misery. Resolved to help them." 18th May.—"The refugees of Provence are occupied on the fortifications, and that in accordance with Viret's request."—Registers of Council. Calvin, addressing both earnest and eloquent entreaties to the ministers of Zurich, of Schaffhausen, and of Basle, adjured them to employ their whole credit to promote new exertions in favour of their suffering brethren.
[503] The intractable savage D'Oppède, and the Royal Commissioners, pursued by the cry of conscience, tried to give a colour of rebellion, and to represent the Vaudois as rebels; those whom they had cowardly assassinated.—See De Thou, lib. vi. p. 215.