CCXCIX.—To John Liner.[381]

Thanks for the zeal manifested by him on behalf of the prisoners of Lyons.

This 10th of August 1552.

Very dear Sir and Brother,—We are all bound to give thanks to God for having made choice of you to assist our poor brethren who are detained in prison by the enemies of the faith, and having so strengthened you by the power of his Spirit, that you spare no pains in so doing. I say that we are bound to give thanks to Him; for we must needs recognize this work as his, and that it is he alone who has disposed and directed you thereto. You have also reason to rejoice at the honour he has done you, in employing you in so worthy and honourable a service, and giving you grace to perform it. For however despised and rejected of men, the poor believers persecuted for the sake of the Gospel may be, yet we know that God esteems them very pearls; that there is nothing more agreeable to him than our striving to comfort and help them as much as in us lies. The Lord Jesus declares, that whatsoever shall have been done to one of the least of his people, will be acknowledged by him as done to himself. How then if we have furthered those who fight his battles? For such are as it were his agents, whom he appoints and ordains for the defence of his Gospel. Yea, he declares that a cup of water given to them shall not be lost. If then you have hitherto had the courage to present so goodly a sacrifice to God, strive to persevere. I know well that the devil will not fail to whisper in your ear on many sides to divert you from it, but let God prove the strongest, as is meet he should. It is said that they who comfort the children of God in their persecutions which they endure for the Gospel, are fellow-labourers for the truth. Be content with this testimony, for it is no light matter that God should uphold and approve us as his martyrs, even though we do not personally suffer, merely because his martyrs are helped and comforted by us. And, therefore, although many tell you the contrary, do not leave off so good a work, or show yourself weary half-way. I feel assured that you did not look to men at the first; follow on then as the servant of Him to whom we must cleave to the end. Reflect, moreover, how many worthy brethren there are who glorify God for what you are doing, who would be scandalized if you altered your course. As for the dangers which they set before you, I have no fear of their coming to pass, for the good brethren for whom you have done so much, feel themselves so indebted to you, that were they at liberty, far from being cowardly enough to betray you, they would expose themselves to death for your sake. You must also consider, that by the support which they receive from you, they are the more confirmed, for they have no doubt whatever that God has directed you to them, as indeed he has. And they have reason to lean still more firmly upon him, seeing the paternal care he shews them. Be of good courage, therefore, in this holy work, in which you serve not only God and his martyrs, but also the whole Church.

Whereupon, my very dear sir and brother, after having heartily commended myself to you, I pray our good Lord that he would increase you more and more with the gifts and riches of his Spirit, for the furtherance of his own honour; and meanwhile, that he would have you in his keeping.

John Calvin.

[Fr. copy.—Library of Geneva. Vol. 107.]