08.03.2019 Views

From Rise of Protestantism in France to Publication of the Institutes - James Aitken Wylie

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

transparency, and power, it was ak<strong>in</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> beauty<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> truths that were entrusted <strong>to</strong> it, and <strong>of</strong> which<br />

it was made <strong>the</strong> vehicle. Yet Calv<strong>in</strong> had not<br />

thought <strong>of</strong> style. The great doctr<strong>in</strong>es he was<br />

enunciat<strong>in</strong>g engrossed him entirely; and <strong>the</strong> free<br />

and majestic march <strong>of</strong> his thoughts summoned up<br />

words <strong>of</strong> fitt<strong>in</strong>g simplicity and grandeur, and<br />

without conscious effort on his part marshalled<br />

<strong>the</strong>m <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> most effective order, and arranged<br />

<strong>the</strong>m <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> most harmonious periods. In giv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

<strong>France</strong> a religion, Calv<strong>in</strong> at <strong>the</strong> same time gave<br />

<strong>France</strong> a language.<br />

Men who have had but little sympathy with his<br />

<strong>the</strong>ology have been loud <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir praises <strong>of</strong> his<br />

genius. Scaliger said <strong>of</strong> him, three hundred years<br />

ago, "Calv<strong>in</strong> is alone among <strong>the</strong>ologians; <strong>the</strong>re is<br />

no ancient <strong>to</strong> compare with him." Sir William<br />

Hamil<strong>to</strong>n <strong>in</strong> our own day has <strong>in</strong>dorsed this<br />

judgment.<br />

"Look<strong>in</strong>g merely <strong>to</strong> his learn<strong>in</strong>g and ability,"<br />

said this dist<strong>in</strong>guished metaphysician, "Calv<strong>in</strong> was<br />

superior <strong>to</strong> all modern, perhaps <strong>to</strong> all ancient,<br />

417

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!