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

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movement of the Reformation in Western Europe. He was involved in
serious disciplinary and theological controversies with the Libertines,
Romanists, Pelagians, Antitrinitarians, and Lutherans. He had no help
except from one or more young men, whom he kept in his house and
employed as clerks. When unwell he dictated from his bed. He had an
amazing power for work notwithstanding his feeble health. When
interrupted in dictation, he could at once resume work at the point where
he left off. f643 He indulged in no recreation except a quarter or half an
hour’s walk in his room or garden after meals, and an occasional game of
quoits or la clef with intimate friends. He allowed himself very little sleep,
and for at least ten years he took but one meal a day, alleging his bad
digestion. f644 No wonder that he undermined his health, and suffered of
headache, ague, dyspepsia, and other bodily infirmities which terminated in
a premature death.
Luther and Zwingli were as indefatigable workers as Calvin, but they had
an abundance of flesh and blood, and enjoyed better health. Luther liked to
play with his children, and to entertain his friends with his humorous tabletalk.
Zwingli also found recreation in poetry and music, and played on
several instruments.
A few years before his death, Calvin was compelled to speak of his work in
self-defence against the calumnies of an ungrateful student and amanuensis,
François Baudouin, a native of Arras, who ran away with some of Calvin’s
papers, turned a Romanist, and publicly abused his benefactor. “I will not,”
he says, “enumerate the pleasures, conveniences, and riches I have
renounced for Christ. I will only say that, had I the disposition of
Baudouin, it would not have been very difficult for me to procure those
things which he has always sought in vain, and which he now but too
greedily gloats upon. But let that pass. Content with my humble fortune,
my attention to frugality has prevented me from being a burden to
anybody. I remain tranquil in my station, and have even given up a part of
the moderate salary assigned to me, instead of asking for any increase. I
devote all my care, labor, and study not only to the service of this Church,
to which I am peculiarly bound, but to the assistance of all the Churches by
every means in my power. I so discharge my office of a teacher, that no
ambition may appear in my extreme faithfulness and diligence. I devour
numerous griefs, and endure the rudeness of many; but my liberty is
uncontrolled by the power of any man. I do not indulge the great by
flattery; I fear not to give offence. No prosperity has hitherto inflated me;