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

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to secure his return. His recall was first seriously discussed in the Council
early in 1539, again in February, 1540, and decided upon Sept. 21, 1540.
Preparatory steps were taken to secure the co-operation of Bern, Basel,
Zürich, and Strassburg. On the 13th of October, Michel Du Bois, an old
friend of Calvin, was sent by the Large Council with a letter to him, and
directed to press the invitation by oral representation. Without waiting for
an answer, other petitions and deputations were forwarded. On the 19th of
October the Council of Two Hundred resolved to use every effort for the
attainment of that object. Ami Perrin and Louis Dufour were sent (Oct. 21
and 22) as deputies, with a herald, to Strassburg “to fetch Master Calvin.”
Twenty dollars gold (écus au soleil) were voted, on the 27th, for
expenses. f612 The Registres of that month are full of actions concerning the
recall of “the learned and pious Mr. Calvin.” No more complete
vindication of the cause of the Reformers could be imagined.
Farel’s aid was also solicited. With incomparable self-denial he pardoned
the ingratitude of the Genevese in not recalling him, and made every
exertion to secure the return of his younger friend, whom he had first
compelled by moral force to stop at Geneva. He bombarded him with
letters. He even travelled from Neuchàtel to Strassburg, and spent two
days there, pressing him in person and trying to persuade him, as well as
Capito and Bucer, of the absolute necessity of his return to Geneva, which,
in his opinion, was the most important spot in the world.
Dufour arrived at Strassburg in November, called upon the senate,
followed Calvin to Worms, where he was in attendance on the Colloquy,
and delivered the formal letter of invitation, dated Oct. 22, and signed by
the syndics and Council of Geneva. It concludes thus: “On behalf of our
Little, Great, and General Councils (all of which have strongly urged us to
take this step), we pray you very affectionately that you will be pleased to
come over to us, and to return to your former post and ministry; and we
hope that by God’s help this course will be a great advantage for the
furtherance of the holy gospel, seeing that our people very much desire
you, and we will so deal with you that you shall have reason to be
satisfied.” The letter was fastened with a seal bearing the motto: “Post
tenebras spero lucem.”
Calvin was thus most urgently and most honorably recalled by the united
voice of the Council, the ministers, and the people of that city which had
unjustly banished him three years before.