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

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The Libertines rejected the Scriptures as a dead letter, or they resorted to
wild allegorical interpretations to suit their fancies. They gave to each of
the Apostles a ridiculous nickname. f734 Some carried their system to
downright atheism and blasphemous anti-Christianity.
They used a peculiar jargon, like the Gypsies, and distorted common words
into a mysterious meaning. They were experts in the art of simulation and
justified pious fraud by the parables of Christ. They accommodated
themselves to Catholics or Protestants according to circumstances, and
concealed their real opinions from the uninitiated.
The sect made progress among the higher classes of France, where they
converted about four thousand persons. Quintin and Pocquet insinuated
themselves into the favor of Queen Marguerite of Navarre, who protected
and supported them at her little court at Nérac, yet without adopting their
opinions and practices. f735 She took offence at Calvin’s severe attack upon
them. He justified his course in a reply of April 28, 1545, which is a fine
specimen of courtesy, frankness, and manly dignity. Calvin assured the
queen, whose protection he had himself enjoyed while a fugitive from
persecution, that he intended no reflection on her honor, or disrespect to
her royal majesty, and that he wrote simply in obedience to his duty as a
minister. “Even a dog barks if he sees any one assault his master. How
could I be silent if God’s truth is assailed? f736 ... As for your saying that you
would not like to have such a servant as myself, I confess that I am not
qualified to render you any great service, nor have you need of it … .
Nevertheless, the disposition is not wanting, and your disdain shall not
prevent my being at heart your humble servant. For the rest, those who
know me are well aware that I have never studied to enter into the courts
of princes, for I was never tempted to court worldly honors. f737 For I have
good reason to be contented with the service of that good Master, who has
accepted me and retained me in the honorable office which I hold, however
contemptible in the eyes of the world. I should, indeed, be ungrateful
beyond measure if I did not prefer this condition to all the riches and
honors of the world.” f738
Beza says: “It was owing to Calvin that this horrid sect, in which all the
most monstrous heresies of ancient times were renewed, was kept within
the confines of Holland and the adjacent provinces.”