Rise and Establishment of Protestantism at Geneva - James Aitken Wylie

the highest usefulness, were so soon to meet a
tragic death.
"We have been, for some days past, in deeper
anxiety and sadness than ever," writes Calvin to
them, when he had learned the final decision of
their persecutors. Turning away from the throne of
Henry II., "We shall," says he, "do our duty herein
by praying to Him that He may glorify Himself
more and more in your constancy, and that He may
by the consolation of His Spirit sweeten and endear
all that is bitter to the flesh, and so absorb your
spirits in Himself, that in contemplating that
heavenly crown you may be ready without regret to
leave all that belongs to this world. If He has
promised to strengthen with patience those who
suffer chastisement for their sins, how much less
will He be found wanting to those who maintain
his quarrel! He who dwells in you is stronger than
the world." [4]
How calm these words, when we think who
spoke them, and that they were spoken to men
about to expire in the fire! They breathe not the
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