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

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This was another moment of sublime Christian heroism.
Perrin, who had some decent feeling of respect for religion and for Calvin’s
character, was so much impressed by this solemn warning that he secretly
gave orders to Berthelier not to approach the communion table. The
communion was celebrated, as Beza reports, “in profound silence, and
under a solemn awe, as if the Deity himself had been visibly present among
them.” f770
In the afternoon, Calvin, as for the last time, preached on Paul’s farewell
address to the Ephesian Elders (Acts 20:31); he exhorted the congregation
to abide in the doctrine of Christ, and declared his willingness to serve the
Church and each of its members, but added in conclusion: “Such is the
state of things here that this may be my last sermon to you; for they who
are in power would force me to do what God does not permit. I must,
therefore, dearly beloved, like Paul, commend you to God, and to the
Word of his grace.” f771
These words made a deep impression even upon his worst foes. The next
day Calvin, with his colleagues and the Presbytery, demanded of the
Council to grant them an audience before the people, as a law was attacked
which had been sanctioned by the General Assembly. The Council refused
the request, but resolved to suspend the decree by which the power of
excommunication was declared to belong to the Council.
In the midst of this agitation the trial of Servetus was going on, and was
brought to a close by his death at the stake, Oct. 27. A few days afterwards
(Nov. 3), Berthelier renewed his request to be admitted to the Lord’s
Table—he who despised religion. The Council which had condemned the
heretic, was not quite willing to obey Calvin as a legislator, and wished to
retain the power of excommunication in their own hands. Yet, in order to
avoid a rupture with the ministers, who would not yield to any
compromise, the Council resolved to solicit the opinions of four Swiss
cantons on the subject. f772
Bullinger, in behalf of the Church and magistracy of Zürich, replied in
December, substantially approving of Calvin’s view, though he admonished
him privately against undue severity. The magistrates of Bern replied that
they had no excommunication in their Church. The answers of the two
other cantons are lost, but seem to have been rather favorable to Calvin’s
cause.