[80] The documents connected with the case of Bolsec must, we apprehend, have been communicated to Servetus. He often uses the same words as his predecessor in Calvin’s displeasure; and imitates him also in the desire he expresses to have Calvin interrogated and put on his trial for certain matters especially interesting to himself.
[81] There is in fact a minute in the Records of Geneva of a formal requisition made by Farel on October 30, and so three days after the execution of Servetus, to have Wm. Geroult summoned to appear and give an account of himself to the Council. The Lieutenant-Criminel, Tissot, had even, as it seems, been charged with the business of making the necessary inquiries preliminary to the institution of a criminal suit. But we find no mention of any further step being taken in the matter. The civil authorities, with three days for reflection, probably thought that enough, more than enough perhaps, had already been done by the burning of the principal offender.
[82] By the writer of the Dialogus inter Vaticanum et Calvinum.
[83] Fidelis Refutatio, and Déclaration pour maintenir, &c.
[84] From the Criminal Records, first published by Mosheim, op. cit. Beylagen, S. 414.
[85] In the summary of the trial given by Trechsel[86] from the archives of Berne, the articles now brought forward by Rigot, and the questions founded on them, are in the handwriting of the amanuensis usually employed by Calvin to make copies of his letters and papers; and beyond question were all dictated by Calvin himself. He perceived that he could trust Rigot no further without risk of failure, and so resumed the position he had taken with Trie, his servant Fontaine, and even in person, as we have seen.
[86] Die Antitrinitarier: Michel Servet und seine Vorgänger, S. 307.
[87] Conf. Chr. Rest. pp. 433 and 655, and Ep. 29 to Calvin.
[88] Vide pp. 34, 48, Book I.
[89] Herniosus ab utero Servetus dicit se uno latere resectum fuisse, ad lævandam infirmitatem. Uno oculo amisso, attamen, non ideo cæcus homo; neque teste uno ablato impollens.