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

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In the meantime matters assumed a more promising aspect. On Jan. 1,
1554, at a grand dinner given by the Council and judges, Calvin being
present, a desire for peace was universally expressed. On the second of
February the Council of Two Hundred swore, with uplifted hands, to
conform to the doctrines of the Reformation, to forget the past, to
renounce all hatred and animosity, and to live together in unity.
Calvin regarded this merely as a truce, and looked for further troubles. He
declared before the Council that he readily forgave all his enemies, but
could not sacrifice the rights of the Consistory, and would rather leave
Geneva. The irritation continued in 1554. The opposition broke out again
in the conspiracy against the foreigners and the council, which has been
already described. The plot failed. Berthelier was, with Perrin, condemned
to death, but escaped with him the execution of justice by flight. f773
This was the end of Libertinism in Geneva.
§ 110. GENEVA REGENERATED.
TESTIMONIES OLD AND NEW.
The final result of this long conflict with Libertinism is the best vindication
of Calvin. Geneva came out of it a new city, and with a degree of moral
and spiritual prosperity which distinguished her above any other Christian
city for several generations. What a startling contrast she presents, for
instance, to Rome, the city of the vicar of Christ and his cardinals, as
described by Roman Catholic writers of the sixteenth century! If ever in
this wicked world the ideal of Christian society can be realized in a civil
community with a mixed population, it was in Geneva from the middle of
the sixteenth to the middle of the eighteenth century, when the
revolutionary and infidel genius of Rousseau (a native of Geneva) and of
Voltaire (who resided twenty years in the neighborhood, on his estate at
Ferney) began to destroy the influence of the Reformer.
After the final collapse of the Libertine party in 1555, the peace was not
seriously disturbed, and Calvin’s work progressed without interruption.
The authorities of the State were as zealous for the honor of the Church
and the glory of Christ as the ministers of the gospel. The churches were
well filled; the Word of God was preached daily; family worship was the
rule; prayer and singing of Psalms never ceased; the whole city seemed to
present the aspect of a community of sincere, earnest Christians who
practised what they believed. Every Friday a spiritual conference and