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

861
iron nerves as not to be stung with pain. But it is no slight consolation
to me that yourself and many other servants of Christ and pious
worshippers of God sympathize with me in my injuries … . Why should
I worry honest people with my zeal for vindicating my own reputation?
Did there exist a greater necessity for it, having entreated their
indulgence, I might lay my defence before them. But the scurrilous
calumnies with which malignant men bespatter me are too unfounded
and too silly to require any labored refutation on my part. The authors
of them would tax me with self-importance, and laugh at me as being
too anxiously concerned for my character. One example of these
falsehoods is that immense sum of money which you mention.
Everybody knows how frugally I live in my own house. Every one sees
that I am at no expense for the splendor of my dress. It is well known
everywhere that my only brother is far from being rich, and that the
little which he has, he acquired without any influence of mine. Where,
then, was that hidden treasure dug up? But they openly give out that I
have robbed the poor. Well, this charge also, these most slanderous of
men will be compelled to confess, was falsely got up without any
grounds. I have never had the handling of one farthing of the money
which charitable people have bestowed on the poor. About eight years
ago, a man of rank [David de Busanton, a refugee; see Calvin’s letter
to Viret, Aug. 17, 1545, Opera, XII. 139] died in my house who had
deposited upwards of two thousand crowns with me, and without
demanding one scrap of writing to prove the deposit. When I perceived
that his life was in danger, though he wished to intrust that sum to my
management, I refused to undertake so responsible a charge. I
contrived, however, that eight hundred crowns should be sent to
Strassburg to relieve the wants of the exiles. By my advice he chose
men above suspicion to distribute the remainder of the sum. When he
wished to appoint me one of their number, to which the others made no
objections, I refused; but I see what nettles my enemies. As they form
an estimate of my character from their own, they feel convinced that I
must amass wherever I find a good opportunity. But if during my
lifetime I do not escape the reputation of being rich, death will at last
vindicate my character from this imputation.” See his testament, p. 829.
Nevertheless Bolsec (ch. XI.) unscrupulously repeated and exaggerated
the calumny about the misappropriation of the legacy of two thousand
crowns. Comp. the editorial notes in Opera, XV. 825 and 826.