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

531
of the Swiss Churches. This constitutes the last chapter of
Antitrinitarianism in Switzerland.
Several Italian refugees denounced the execution of Servetus, adopted his
views and tried to improve them, but were far inferior to him in genius and
originality.
They circulated libels on Calvin, and ventilated their opinions in the weekly
conference meetings of the Italian congregation, which were open to
questions and free discussions.
1. Matteo Gribaldo, a noted professor of jurisprudence at Padua, bought
the estate of Farges in the territory of Bern, near Geneva, and spent there a
part of each year. He attended the Italian meetings on his visits to the
town. During the trial of Servetus he openly expressed his disapproval of
civil punishment for religious opinions, and maintained that everybody
should be allowed to believe what he pleased. He at first concealed his
views on the doctrine of Servetus, except among intimate friends. After an
examination before the Council, he was ordered to leave the city on
suspicion of heretical opinions on the Trinity (1559). These opinions were
crude and undigested. He vacillated between dyotheism or tritheism and
Arianism. He could not conceive of Father and Son except as two distinct
beings or substances: the one begetting, the other begotten; the one
sending, the other sent. He compared their relation to that between Paul
and Apollos, who were two individuals, yet one in the abstract idea of the
apostolate.
Before his dismission from Geneva he had, through the influence of
Vergerio, received an appointment us professor of law in the University of
Tübingen. Passing through Zürich he called on Bullinger, and complained
bitterly of the conduct of Calvin. He gained the applause of the students in
Tübingen, and was often consulted by Duke Christopher of Würtemberg
on important matters.
But rumors of his heresies reached Tübingen, and inquiries were sent to
Geneva. Calvin warned his old teacher, Melchior Volmar, against him, and
Beza alarmed Vergerio by unfavorable reports. Vergerio informed the
Duke of the charges.
Gribaldo was subjected to an examination before the academic senate in
the presence of the Duke, and was pressed for a decided answer to the