Letters of John Calvin

Author

John Calvin

Category Letters

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Weight	.8 lbs
Dimensions	7.5 × 5 × 1.25 in
ISBN	9781848718432
Binding	Cloth-bound, eBook (ePub & Kindle), Cloth-bound & eBook (ePub & Kindle)
Topic	Church Life, General Theology, Life Issues
Original Pub Date	1855
Banner Pub Date	Nov 27, 2018
Page Count	320
Format	Book

Endorsement

‘[Letters of John Calvin] is one of my favourite books. My copy is highlighted, underlined, and falling apart from constant use. Students of Calvin, as well as pastors and serious Christians, will enjoy these letters. I’m thrilled that Banner of Truth has reissued this classic.’ — KEVIN DEYOUNG

Book Description

Few great Christian leaders have suffered quite so much misunderstanding as John Calvin. He is often dismissed as a theologian without humanity. In fact the very reverse is much nearer the truth, as these letters amply demonstrate. He was a man of deep and lasting affection, passionately concerned for the cause of Christ in the world—a man who burned himself out for the gospel.

Calvin wrote to kings and princes, Reformers and friends, nobility and common people alike. The Letters of John Calvin reveal a man of deep pastoral concern, consistent and exemplary evangelistic zeal, with a humble sense of the final authority of God and his word. This selection contains a number of letters written in connection with the establishment of the Reformation in England; a cross-section of Calvin’s correspondence with his closest friends, especially William Farel, and also Luther and Melanchthon. There are also letters of pastoral counsel and encouragement, and perhaps most moving of all, Calvin’s exhortations to five young men imprisoned in Lyons, France, awaiting the day of their certain martyrdom.

This selection of seventy letters is taken from the collection edited by Jules Bonnet, first published in 1855–57, with an introductory biographical sketch.

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Table of Contents Expand ↓

	Introduction	xiii
	The Life of Calvin	xv
	LETTERS OF CALVIN	3
	1. TO NICOLAS DUCHEMIN	3
	Calvin at the University of Orleans – his early friendships – he is recalled to Noyon by the illness of his father.
	2. TO FRANCIS DANIEL	5
	Calvin’s first work – Commentary on Seneca’s Treatise De Clementia
	3. TO CHRISTOPHER LIBERTET	6
	Calvin in Basle – revision of the Bible of Robert Olivetan – treatise on the Immortality of the Soul.
	4. TO FRANCIS DANIEL	9
	Calvin in Geneva – translation into French of the Institutes – disputation of Lausanne – establishment of the doctrines of the Reformation in the Pays de Vaud.
	5. TO LOUIS DU TILLET	13
	Departure of Louis du Tillet from Geneva – regret of Calvin – controversy between the two friends regarding the character of the Church of Jesus Christ.
	6. TO HENRY BULLINGER	20
	State of the Church at Geneva – wish for the union of the Reformed Churches – mention of Luther.
	7. TO WILLIAM FAREL	23
	Farel called as minister to the Church of Neuchâtel – sad condition of the Church at Geneva – uncertainty of Calvin – Bucer’s urgency to draw him to Strassburg.
	8. TO FAREL	28
	Death of Courault – Calvin’s discouragement and trust in God – answers a question of Saunier regarding the Supper – the faithful at Geneva exhorted not to separate from the new preachers – affectionate advice given to Farel.
	9. TO FAREL	34
	Second edition of the Institutes – death of Robert Olivetan – state of religion in Germany – first lectures of Calvin at Strassburg.
	10. TO FAREL	37
	Impressions of Calvin on his recall to Geneva – rigorous application of discipline in his church – news of Germany, of France, and of England.
	11. TO PETER VIRET	41
	Excuses for his silence – sad news from France – repugnance of Calvin to return to Geneva – his comparative estimate of Capito, Zwingli, Luther and Œcolampadius.
	12. TO FAREL	44
	Prepares to depart for Geneva – self-denial of Calvin – absolute submission to the will of God.
	13. TO FAREL	47
	Details of the death of the first Syndic, Amy Porral.
	14. TO LUTHER	52
	Calvin submits to Luther several of his writings of which he desires to obtain his approval
	15. TO MELANCHTHON	55
	He complains of Luther’s tyranny, and affectionately exhorts Melanchthon to manifest greater decision and firmness.
	16. TO MONSIEUR DE FALAIS	58
	Exhortation to glorify God amid poverty and persecution.
	17. TO JOHN FRELLON	61
	Rupture of the relations between Calvin and Servetus.
	18. TO FAREL	63
	Reply to various questions – threat against Servetus – imprisonment of one of the leaders of the Libertines.
	19. TO VIRET	67
	Calvin invites his friend to Geneva after the death of his wife.
	20. TO FAREL	68
	False report of Calvin’s death – proposition (query) by the wife of Amy Perrin – calumnious accusation against Idelette de Bure – journey of Farel to Geneva
	21. TO THE PROTECTOR SOMERSET	71
	Duties imposed on the Protector by the high office which he holds – plan of a complete reformation in England – preaching of the pure Word of God – rooting out of abuses – correction of vices and scandalous offences.
	22. TO VIRET	92
	Death of Idelette de Bure, the wife of Calvin
	23. TO FAREL	94
	Further details regarding the death of Idelette de Bure.
	24. TO MADAME DE CANY	96
	Account of the instructive death of Madame Laurent de Normandie.
	25. TO THE PROTECTOR SOMERSET	102
	Congratulations on the royal favour shown to the Duke of Somerset – use to be made of his influence for spreading the Gospel in England.
	26. TO WILLIAM RABOT	107
	Exhortation to the study of the Scriptures.
	27. TO THE KING OF ENGLAND	109
	He exhorts him to persevere in the work of the Reformation in his kingdom – enumeration of abuses, ceremonies, ecclesiastical elections – universities.
	28. TO A FRENCH GENTLEMAN	115
	Sickness of Theodore Beza – Calvin’s grief.
	29. TO THE DUKE OF SOMERSET	116
	Protestations of attachment – reforms required in the Church of England – squandering of the revenues of benefices and of the universities.
	30. TO LAELIUS SOCINUS	119
	Refusal to reply to the questions proposed to him by Socinus.
	31. TO CRANMER	122
	Agreement to the proposal for assembling a General Synod for the more close union of the Reformed Churches.
	32. TO THE FIVE PRISONERS OF LYONS	127
	Martial Alba, Peter Escrivain, Charles Favre, Peter Navihères, Bernard Seguin – Information on various doctrinal points, and assurances of Christian sympathy.
	33. TO EDWARD VI	132
	Dedication of a new work, and Christian exhortations.
	34. TO CRANMER	134
	Calvin exhorts him to prosecute with fresh zeal the reformation of the Church in England, by purging it of the relics of Popery.
	35. TO THE FIVE PRISONERS OF LYONS	137
	Exhortations to constancy – mention of Ortiz the Inquisitor.
	36. TO EDWARD VI	140
	Recommendation of a French gentleman, a prisoner for the sake of the Gospel.
	37. TO CRANMER	142
	He entreats his influence in favour of the person already recommended to the King.
	38. TO THE FIVE PRISONERS OF LYONS	144
	He exhorts them to steadfastness to the end, in the assurance of eternal joy reserved in heaven.
	39. TO THE PRISONERS OF LYONS	149
	He impresses on them the duty of maintaining their confession of the truth quietly and modestly.
	40. TO BULLINGER	153
	Expression of regret for the death of the King of England – sad condition of the German Churches.
	41. TO FAREL	155
	Arrest of Servetus, and institution of the process against him.
	42. TO MELANCHTHON	158
	He deplores the silence of Melanchthon, and urges him to apply himself to the controverted questions of Election and the Lord’s Supper.
	43. TO THE ENGLISH AT FRANKFORT	162
	He exhorts them to make in their liturgy all the changes compatible with the maintenance of union and the peace of their Church.
	44. TO THE DUCHESS OF FERRARA	165
	He exhorts her to make a courageous display of her faith under persecution.
	45. TO MELANCHTHON	168
	Thanks him for his approval of the condemnation of Servetus – urgent entreaties to determine Melanchthon to pronounce with more firmness in the question of the sacraments.
	46. TO BULLINGER	171
	Defeat of the party of the Libertines at Geneva – answer of the Swiss churches to the defence of the Consensus.
	47. TO JOHN KNOX	174
	Criticism of the Anglican Liturgy – counsels addressed to the parties which divide the foreign Church of Frankfort.
	48. TO BULLINGER	177
	Account of the nocturnal riot excited by the Libertines at Geneva – defeat and total dispersion of that party.
	49. TO PETER MARTYR	191
	Fall of the French Church of Strasbourg – grief of Calvin
	50. TO RICHARD VAUVILLE	192
	Christian consolations on the occasion of his wife’s death.
	51. TO THE KING OF POLAND	194
	He exhorts him to undertake courageously the reform of his states, in proposing to him the example of David, Hezekiah, and Josiah.
	52. TO FAREL	198
	Complaints about the bad proceedings of the Seigneurs of Berne – domestic griefs
	53. TO MONSIEUR D’ANDELOT	200
	He blames him for his weakness – and exhorts him to repair the scandal caused by his fall.
	54. TO THE EARL OF ARRAN	205
	Eulogiums on his attachment to the gospel, and on his zeal to spread it.
	55. TO THE MINISTERS OF NEUCHATEL	208
	He deplores the marriage of Farel, in recalling to their minds the glorious services which he has rendered to the cause of truth.
	56. TO FAREL	211
	He makes an excuse for not being able to be present at the marriage of his friend.
	57. TO WILLIAM CECIL	213
	Hopes connected with the accession of Elizabeth – wishes for the establishment of the pure gospel in England.
	58. TO JEROME ZANCHI	217
	Call to the ministry in the Church of Geneva.
	59. TO WILLIAM CECIL	219
	He exculpates himself to this minister of the imputations brought against him on account of a writing of Knox’s.
	60. TO JOHN KNOX	222
	Answers to different ecclesiastical questions.
	61. TO THE BRETHREN IN FRANCE	228
	He exhorts them to redouble their faith to meet their redoubled persecutions, and to live and die for the confession of Jesus Christ.
	62. TO THE BISHOP OF LONDON	237
	Recommendation of the French Church of London – Eulogium of des Gallars – Wish for a complete Reform of the Anglican Church.
	63. TO THE KING OF NAVARRE	241
	He exhorts him to pursue with ardour the restoration of the gospel in France.
	64. TO THE QUEEN OF NAVARRE	243
	He congratulates her on her conversion, and lays before her, her principal duties as a Christian princess.
	65. TO THE ADMIRAL COLIGNY	246
	Encomiums on the constancy of the Admiral – Recommendation of Geneva.
	66. TO JOHN KNOX	249
	Explanations on the subject of a letter – Expression of satisfaction at the progress of the Reformation in Scotland and of sympathy for a domestic affliction.
	67. TO THE KING OF NAVARRE	252
	Warning on the subject of the Lutheran intrigues to introduce into France the Confession of Augsburg.
	68. TO THE PHYSICIANS OF MONTPELLIER	256
	Medical consultation.
	69. TO BULLINGER	258
	Sufferings of Calvin and the inefficacy of the healing art to relieve them – News of France and Germany.
	70. TO FAREL	261
	Last adieus.
	LAST DISCOURSES OF CALVIN
	Last Will and Testament of Master John Calvin	265
	Calvin’s Farewell to the Seigneurs of Geneva	271
	Calvin’s Farewell to the Ministers of Geneva	277

Testimonials

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Jacob Wilson – December 22, 2018

I’m in love with this edition of Calvin’s letters. The paper is silky smooth, and the typeset is incredibly easy to read. The cover is a nice green cloth-bound cover is one of my favorite covers of any book.
As someone who has never engaged with John Calvin’s letters until now, I’m captivated by the pastoral and empathetic heart that Calvin writes with. While John is known for his robust theology and his epic tomes of Christian thinking, the Letters represent another side of Calvin that is rarely seen. I can tell that this volume will be a mainstay in my library, and one that I reference frequently.
marcdanielrivera – April 8, 2024

John Calvin is one of the most influential Reformers whose theological thoughts and writings have shaped Protestantism for generations to come. Yet behind the towering intellect and theological acumen lies a man of profound pastoral concern and unwavering commitment to the gospel. The Letters of John Calvin, published by Banner of Truth, offers readers a glimpse into the heart and mind of this remarkable figure through a collection of his personal correspondence.

This collection of letters by John Calvin contains a wide spectrum of recipients, reflecting his engagement with kings and princes, fellow Reformers, friends, nobility, and common folk alike. Within these pages, readers will encounter a man whose warm pastoral concern is evident in every word, whose passion for God and the gospel burns brightly, and whose life is grounded in the Word of God.

This selection of letters provides a fascinating insight into various aspects of Calvin’s life and ministry. Included are letters written in connection with the establishment of the Reformation in England, offering a rare glimpse into Calvin’s influence on the spread of Protestantism beyond the borders of Geneva. The correspondence with Calvin’s closest friends, particularly William Farel, Luther, and Melanchthon, provides valuable insights into the relationships that shaped his theological thought and ministry.

This selection of seventy letters, drawn from the collection edited by Jules Bonnet and first published in 1855-1857, is accompanied by an introductory biographical sketch that provides context for Calvin’s life and times. The cloth-bound format adds a touch of elegance to this volume, fitting for the treasure contained within.

Within these pages, you’ll witness a dedicated pastor with tender care for the souls under his charge. Between the lines of these letters, you’ll encounter a counselor who offers encouragement in times of trial and uncertainty. In essence, The Letters of John Calvin is a gold mine that reflects the heart and soul of the Genevan reformer. These pages contain the purest practical distillation of the theology and doctrine that Calvin taught. Read these letters, and be enriched and edified!

For those hungering for more, Banner of Truth also offers a larger 7-volume set, the Tracts and Letters of John Calvin, providing a comprehensive collection of Calvin’s writings for further study and reflection.