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

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government and discipline. The Council complied with this request, and
resolved to retain him permanently, and to inform the Senate of Strassburg
of this intention. Six prominent laymen, four members of the Little Council,
two members of the Large Council,—Pertemps, Perrin, Roset, Lambert,
Goulaz, and Porral,—were appointed to draw up the ecclesiastical
ordinances in conference with the ministers. f627
On Sept. 16, Calvin wrote to Farel: “Thy wish is granted, I am held fast
here. May God give his blessing.” f628
He desired to retain Viret and to secure Farel as permanent co-laborers;
but in this he was disappointed—Viret being needed at Lausanne, and Farel
at Neuchâtel. By special permission of Bern, however, Viret was allowed
to remain with him till July of the next year. His other colleagues were
rather a hindrance than a help to him, as “they had no zeal and very little
learning, and could not be trusted.” Nearly the whole burden of
reconstructing the Church of Geneva rested on his shoulders. It was a
formidable task.
Never was a man more loudly called by government and people, never did
a man more reluctantly accept the call, never did a man more faithfully and
effectively fulfil the duties of the call than John Calvin when, in obedience
to the voice of God, he settled a second time at Geneva to live and to die
at this post of duty.
“Of all men in the world,” says one of his best biographers and greatest
admirers, f629 “Calvin is the one who most worked, wrote, acted, and prayed
for the cause which he had embraced. The coexistence of the sovereignty
of God and the freedom of man is assuredly a mystery; but Calvin never
supposed that because God did all, he personally had nothing to do. He
points out clearly the twofold action, that of God and that of man. ‘God,’
said he, ‘after freely bestowing his grace on us, forthwith demands of us a
reciprocal acknowledgment. When he said to Abraham, “I am thy God,” it
was an offer of his free goodness; but he adds at the same time what he
required of him: “Walk before me, and be thou perfect.” This condition is
tacitly annexed to all the promises. They are to be to us as spurs, inciting
us to promote the glory of God.’ And elsewhere he says, ‘This doctrine
ought to create new vigor in all your members, so that you may be fit and
alert, with might and main, to follow the call of God.’ “ f630