Untitled - 24grammata.com

OF POLITICAL THEORIES. S-37nal relations. To this the Reformation mainly contributedfor on their conversion to its principles, the Genevese(1533) expelled the bishops, who had till then been, in acertain degree,,their rulers ; although, as in other places, amunicipal constitution had gradually been formed to restrainthem. From that time Geneva maintained its independence,notwithstanding the attempts of the princes of Savoy and:the goods of the clergy, which had been confiscated, wereapplied to the foundation of that university, which has sincereckoned so many distinguished men itsamong members.In the mean time, it was reserved for John Calvin, whoestablished himself here as a Reformer, to enable Geneva, byhis single efforts, to turn the Reformation to such account,as regardedits political importance, as could never havebeen hopedfor without his assistance.This extraordinary personage,a Frenchman by birth, andas much endowed with vigour and activity as lie was furnished with learning, was chosen to fill the professor's chair ;and not only acquired great political importance by the influence which the rigid church discipline, established byhim at the Reformation, secured to himself and to theclergy, but became, as a general reformer, the head of thatparty which took its name from him.Of this party Geneva naturally became the chief resort,and from itthey spread themselves in all directions, andespecially towards France, where, under the name of Hugonots,they caused disturbances from which the most sanguinarycivil wars took their rise. But, besides the presenceof Calvin, there was another reason for the religiousimportance of Geneva, and one of a more enduring character.The new doctrines were no where else taught in theFrench tongue; and thus Geneva necessarily became theschool of the French reformed clergy, and, by extending itssphere, involved itself more deeply in general politics.To these circumstances Geneva was considerably indebtedfor the features which so peculiarly distinguishedit butnot to these alone. The manner in which its internal relations were established was of no less influence. In thesame year as that in which Calvin settled at Geneva, (1536,)a change was wrought in the constitution of this state uponwhich its future character depended. The municipal con-