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

created a peculiar form of language, the most
conformable to the genius of our country." And of
Calvin himself he says: "He treats every question
of Christian philosophy as a great writer. He equals
the most sublime in his grand thoughts upon God,
the expression of which was equalled but not
surpassed by Bossuet."[4]
A scheme of doctrine, a code of government, a
plan of Church organisation, the Institutes was at
the same time an apology, a defense of the
persecuted, an appeal to the conscience of the
persecutor. It was dedicated to Francis I.[5] But the
dedication did not run in the usual form. Calvin did
not approach the monarch to bow and gloze, to
recount his virtues and extol his greatness, he
spoke as it becomes one to speak who pleads for
the innocent condemned at unrighteous tribunals,
and for truth overborne by bloody violence. His
dedication was a noble, most affecting and thrilling
intercession for his brethren in France, many of
whom were at that moment languishing in prison
or perishing at the stake.
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