Rise and Establishment of Protestantism at Geneva - James Aitken Wylie

Church which he founded, as well as in his
personal conduct during his life. That principle is
the profound distinction between the civil and the
religious community. Distinction, we say, and by
no means separation. Calvin, on the contrary,
desired alliance between the two communities and
the two powers, but each to be independent in its
own domain, combining their action, showing
mutual respect, and lending mutual support ..... In
this principle and this fundamental labor,"
continues the historian, "there are two new and
bold reforms attempted in the very heart of the
great Reformation of Europe, and over and above
the work of its first promoters." in proof, Guizot
goes on to instance England, where the "royal
supremacy" was accepted; Switzerland, where the
Council of State held the sovereign authority in
matters of religion; and Germany, where the
magistrate was the chief bishop; and continues: "In
this great question as to the relations between
Church and State, Calvin desired and did more,
than his predecessors .... in spite of the resistance
often showed him by the civil magistrates, in spite
of the concessions he was sometimes obliged to
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