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

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CALVIN IN GERMANY.
Calvin labored three years in Germany; he felt closely allied to the Lutheran
Church; he had the profoundest regard for Luther, in spite of his
infirmities; he was the intimate friend of Melanchthon; he attended three
colloquies between Lutheran and Roman Catholic divines; he once signed,
the Augsburg Confession (1541), as understood, explained, and improved
by its author. He followed the progress of the Reformation in Germany
step by step with the warmest interest, as is shown in his correspondence
and various writings.
He did not labor for a separate Reformed Church in Germany, but for a
free confederation of the Swiss and Lutheran Churches. But the fanatical
bigotry of such men as Flacius, Westphal, and Heshusius produced a
reaction and drove a large part of the moderate or Melanchthonian
Lutherans into the Reformed communion.
The Reformed Church in the Electoral Palatinate was the result of a cooperation
of Melanchthonian and Calvinistic influences under the pious
Elector, Frederick III. The Heidelberg Catechism is the joint work of
Ursinus, a pupil of Melanchthon, and Olevianus, a pupil of Calvin. It
appeared in 1563, three years after Melanchthon’s death, one year before
Calvin’s death, and became the leading symbol of the Palatinate and the
Reformed Churches in Germany and Holland. f1237 It gives the best
expression to Calvin’s views on the Lord’s Supper, and on Election, but
wisely omits all reference to an eternal decree of reprobation and
preterition; following in this respect Calvin’s own catechism. The wellknown
first question is a gem and presents the bright and comforting side
of the doctrine of Election: —
“What is thy only comfort in life and in death?”
“That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my
own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who with His
precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redeemed me
from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me, that without
the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head;
yea, that all things must work together for my salvation.
Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,
and makes me heartily willing and ready henceforth to live unto
Him.”