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

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of the Church, and indeed religion itself, or so well content to see
their own countries at peace as to care little about others; and thus
the members being divided, the body of the Church lies lacerated.
“As to myself, if I should be thought of any use, I would not, if
need be, object to cross ten seas for such a purpose. If the assisting
of England were alone concerned, that would be motive enough
with me. Much more, therefore, am I of opinion, that I ought to
grudge no labor or trouble, seeing that the object in view is an
agreement among the learned, to be drawn up by the weight of
their authority according to Scripture, in order to unite Churches
seated far apart. But my insignificance makes me hope that I may
be spared. I shall have discharged my part by offering up my
prayers for what may have been done by others. Melanchthon is so
far off that it takes some time to exchange letters. Bullinger has,
perhaps, already answered you. I only wish that I had the power, as
I have the inclination, to serve the cause.” f1223
This noble project was defeated or indefinitely postponed by the death of
Edward VI. and the martyrdom of Cranmer, but it continues to live as a
pium desiderium. In opposition to a mechanical and enforced uniformity,
Calvin suggested the idea of a spiritual unity with denominational variety,
or of one flock in many folds under one shepherd. f1224 This idea was taken
up in our age by the Evangelical Alliance, the Pan-Anglican Council, the
Pan-Presbyterian Alliance, the Pan-Methodist Conference, the Young
Men’s Christian Associations, the Christian Endeavor Societies, and similar
voluntary associations, which bring Christians of different churches and
nationalities together for mutual conference and co-operation, without
interfering with their separate organization and denominational
preferences.
A lasting monument of Calvin’s catholicity is his immense correspondence,
which fills ten quarto volumes of the last edition of his works, and
embraces in all no less than forty-two hundred and seventy-one letters. He
left to Beza a collection of manuscripts with discretionary power to publish
from it what he deemed might promote the edification of the Church of
God. Accordingly, Beza edited the first collection of Calvin’s letters eleven
years after his death, at Geneva, 1575. This edition was several times
republished, and gradually enriched by letters discovered in various