Schaff - History of the Christian Church Vol. 8 - Media Sabda Org

Thomas H. Dyer.
248
The Life of John Calvin. London, 1850, p. 533 sq.
“That Calvin was in some respects a really great man, and that the
eloquent panegyric of his friend and disciple Beza contains much
that is true, will hardly be denied. In any circumstances his
wonderful abilities and extensive learning would have made him a
shining light among the doctors of the Reformation; an accidental,
or, as his friends and followers would say, a providential and
predestinated visit to Geneva, made him the head of a numerous
and powerful sect. Naturally deficient in that courage which forms
so prominent a trait in Luther’s character, and which prompted him
to beard kings and emperors face to face, Calvin arrived at Geneva
at a time when the rough and initiatory work of Reform had already
been accomplished by his bolder and more active friend Farel.
Some peculiar circumstances in the political condition of that place
favored the views which he seems to have formed very shortly after
his arrival....
“The preceding narrative has already shown how, from that time to
the hour of his death, his care and labor were constantly directed to
the consolidation of his power, and to the development of his
scheme of ecclesiastical polity. In these objects he was so
successful that it may be safely affirmed that none of the Reformers,
not even Luther himself, attained to so absolute and extensive an
influence.”
Archdeacon Frederic W. Farrar, D. D., F. R. S.
History of Interpretation. London, 1886, pp. 342–344.
“The greatest exegete and theologian of the Reformation was
undoubtedly CALVIN. He is not an attractive figure in the history of
that great movement. The mass of mankind revolt against the
ruthless logical rigidity of his ‘horrible decree.’ They fling it from
their belief with the eternal ‘God forbid!’ of an inspired natural
horror. They dislike the tyranny of theocratic sacerdotalism [?]
which be established at Geneva. Nevertheless his Commentaries,
almost alone among those of his epoch, are still a living force. They
are far more profound than those of Zwingli, more thorough and
scientific, if less original and less spiritual, than those of Luther. In