To the Most Noble and Renowned, Edward the Sixth, King of England — A True Christian Prince
John Calvin.
Albeit I acknowledge (most noble Prince) this Commentary to be faithfully and aptly gathered from my ordinary readings: yet in regard it was polished by another hand; at the first I feared, lest being published under the title of your name, it might seem I had not furnished myself with a present worthy of your Majesty. But one special reason among others, in the end freed me from this fear; namely, that as this Princely Prophet descended of the blood Royal; and a most honorable Ambassador of Christ the Sovereign King, suited well with your person: so I hoped that my labors which I have taken in expounding his prophecies, would be accepted and esteemed of you.
Moreover, seeing he had good experience of the disposition of five Kings, far unlike each other, to whom he continually preached: yet I need not advertise you, which of these you ought to follow, neither yet to exhort you to the performance of such duties, to which you show yourself already most willing.
Uzziah and Jotham favored him; and yet they wanted sufficient courage in erecting God's pure worship: the greatest conflicts he sustained was with Ahaz: not that he was an open enemy; but a false hypocrite, full of dissimulation, and treachery. And what enemies (I pray you) gall God's servants more than such? His successor Hezekiah not only reverenced this holy personage, but also modestly, as one of the common sort, submitted himself to his doctrine; obeyed his counsels, and suffered himself to be governed by his admonitions. Nay, which is more, he willingly yielded to be sharply reproved by the Prophet when need required. The last, which was Manasseh, who, as all the Jews with one consent affirm, was his father in law, wickedly slew him by cruel torments. Indeed, even during the time that good Kings aided him, and also under Hezekiah; who showed himself so godly a protector of piety and godliness, yet then, was he continually vexed with sharp and tedious travels, and made to undergo very grievous conflicts: so difficult and rare a thing is it to see men consent to wholesome doctrine. I say more; such as will faithfully and uprightly discharge their duties in this prophetical function, must needs make account to be at continual odds with the world. So much the more therefore ought faithful Kings, by their defense, to succor the Ministers of Christ, that they be not molested nor pressed above measure, by the insolence of the wicked.
But by how much the more as this virtue is excellent, and truly heroical; so if we shall call to mind what has past in all the ages from the first (till now;) how rarely has it been found; or how few have given themselves to the practice of it? Many being remiss and fainthearted, have through mere negligence suffered God's truth to be suppressed, as if the matter had not at all concerned them. The greater part showing themselves adversaries, have with fury and violence rushed against it. And would to God all those who at this day profess themselves Christians, had but so much heart to advance the doctrine of salvation, as they are proud in glorying of this name.
But to be silent touching others, we may yet at the last worthily esteem this comfort not as a common favor, in the miseries wherein the Church now is, that you, most noble King, have been raised up of God, with this spirit, and excellent magnanimity of mind, to maintain the pure religion; and as effectually to offer to God your service in this behalf, as you know he receives and approves the same at your Majesty's hands. For however the affairs of the Kingdom be yet managed by your honorable Council: and that as well the most noble Duke of Somerset, your Majesty's Uncle, as also many others, have taken the cause of religion so to heart, that they labor diligently (as it is very fit they should) to establish the same: yet do you in such sort outgo them all; that it well appears, the zeal which they see in you provokes them not a little to follow you. For you have the same, not only to be of such a princely disposition as promises much, and to have some seeds of virtues also, (which yet nevertheless seems great in so young years) but more than that, such a ripeness of these virtues already grown beyond your age; which to the most aged, gets not only rare praise, but also makes them much to be admired. And above all, so greatly is your piety commended, that I am very well assured our Prophet shall have one, that will with like respect reverence him being dead, as Hezekiah did while he was living.
As concerning the fruit which may happily redound to you thereby, it is best yourself should learn it by your own experience in reading of him: and yet I have touched that also a little in the preface. There is only one thing which I have determined to say to your Majesty, (and this it is:) After the Prophet has laid forth God's just complaints against this so ungrateful a people, and has threatened the Jews with such chastisements as their disloyal revolt, and desperate obstinacy deserved; namely, that the time approached, wherein they should be brought to a horrible ruin: forthwith coming to set forth the new and incredible restoration of the Church, he promises that God will so respect the same, that in despite of all her enemies, she shall always flourish in beauty, and happiness. Those which returned from the captivity of Babylon felt this joyous and blessed estate, when the sacrifices being again newly erected, they might conceive some good hope of greater benefits, than those which they then enjoyed: as when we behold the break of day, we expect the Sun-rising soon after. But when Christ the sun of righteousness appeared with his glory in his Gospel, the thing itself greatly surpassed all that which had been highly praised by the Prophets' revelations.
Within short space the knowledge of the true God was dispersed almost throughout the whole world. The pure religion which before was despised and shut up within the bounds of Judea (as in a narrow corner) now began to be spread into all nations and provinces, indeed, so honored, that God was called upon with one consent of faith by infinite multitudes. The Son of God having here and there gathered the Churches, set up his royal throne, and advanced the same into the highest degree to be seen of all from the East to the West. The Churches adorned with admirable graces of the Holy Spirit, not only tasted of the incomparable fruit of the divine goodness, but were also fair and shining theaters to manifest the wonderful power of God, even to such as were blind. And albeit, Christ reigned under the cross, yet amidst the fiery conflicts and persecutions, his glory shined more gloriously, and his triumphs more stately, than if the Church had always enjoyed tranquility.
In the end it came to pass, that that haughty pride of the Roman Empire submitting itself also to Christ, was a singular ornament to the house of God. But the malice and ingratitude of men was the cause why this happiness lasted not successively. And so the spouse of Christ as one stripped of so precious a robe, spoiled of her dignity, and deprived of her honorable attire, was brought back again to a miserable deformity: yet God always preserved some remainders, as it were in secret corners; but as touching the outward face of the Church, for the space of many years, nothing appeared anywhere, but scatterings and confused wastes. And we at this day behold how the Roman Antichrist, usurping far and near over the sanctuary of the Lord, by a sacrilegious tyranny holds it under his feet rent and oppressed. For seeing the purity of doctrine is there corrupted by monstrous errors, and that God's service being overturned, idolatries reign there without number; that instead of a government rightly instituted, a cruel torture has been brought in, that the Sacraments be in part by gross and absurd abuses corrupted, and partly shamefully set to sale: what remains there (I pray you) but woeful ruins of that natural beauty of the spiritual building?
Notwithstanding the Lord in our times has begun again to set up that which was fallen down, that at least there might be some image of the true Temple where he was purely served according as he has ordained in the Gospel. To which end he has selected out as it were from among the least of the common people, his chief builders, to advance this work by sincere doctrine. I grant, it is of itself a difficult work, and of great weight, though Satan should let us alone in quiet. But if even now while some part of this building is raised up, he does his utmost to break it down, is it any marvel if we labor much, and with great care, and yet see little or no fruit for the present to come of our labors? Therefore these mighty Giants proudly scorn us: as if while we studying how to practice the ruin of the tyrannous Roman sea; we should strive to overthrow the mount Olympus.
These great wits also, who (as they think) know somewhat, deride our diligence; in regard we are so earnestly busied in restoring the Church to her first estate: as if in the same any certain or settled estate were to be expected. For these (forsooth) imagine that they are so well founded, and on all sides so furnished, that it is no less easy to abolish popery, than to mingle heaven and earth together. But the conceit of these wise men differs somewhat. For in regard the perversity of the world is so great, that it cannot be held in awe, they think we travel in vain, and against the stream to seek in correcting vices, to have a pure and sincere administration of a Church. The flout of Erasmus is well enough known; What hopes Capito of the tenth which shall come after him? It cannot be denied but Wolfgang Capito was a holy man, who with a most sincere affection endeavored to purge the Church. But because he was persuaded that the Ministers of Christ should no less lose their labor in correcting the stubbornness of the world, than if they should have taken upon them to have forced the stream the contrary way (for thus they are wont to think who talk of things in the shade) he taxes us all of inconsiderate zeal in the person of one. But both the one and the other are much deceived, in that they consider not, that we so employ ourselves in the Lord's service, as he has commanded, that in the meantime the restoration of the Church is merely the work of his own hands. Neither is it without cause that the whole Scripture commonly testifies, and that our Prophet again and again so carefully repeats it. Therefore being mindful of this doctrine, let us no way be discouraged from undertaking under [reconstructed: God's] guidance, a business which far surmounts our own abilities; that so no encumbrances may either break off our purpose, or so weaken us, that we should [reconstructed: desist] from our enterprise.
And here I do expressly summon you, most excellent King, or rather God by the mouth of his Prophet Isaiah calls you, namely, to go on in employing whatever power and force God has endued you with; and with new increases to set forward the restoration of the Church, which is now so happily begun in your kingdom. First, you daily hear and read that this charge is committed to you in that Kingdom over which God has placed you. Indeed, and Isaiah, as I have said, calling Kings nursing fathers of the Church, permits not that the help which she in this behalf requires of you in her affliction, should now be wanting to her. Neither ought your heart to be lightly touched with that, where the Prophet denounces a heavy curse to fall upon all Kings and nations, which shall defraud her of their aid.
Again, your Majesty also evidently knows, that even the necessity of these times requires it. And albeit by your endeavors, it may be you shall gain little; yet knowing how acceptable a service this is to God, and that it is a sweet smelling savor in his nostrils, no dangers whatever ought to turn you from this enterprise.
Seeing then that God thus exhorts you to behave yourself valiantly, and therewith promises you a happy issue: why should you not cheerfully follow him when he calls you? In another place our Prophet cries; Prepare, prepare the way for my people. It is well enough known, how there was no hope that the poor captives could be restored home to their country again, neither was this presently performed. But in regard the Prophet by the spirit of prophecy, then foresaw what the posterity should effectually feel, lest by so lamentable a spectacle, the faithful might be discouraged, he prevents them early on; telling them that there are no obstacles or impediments, whatever (be they as firm and as close as they may be) through which God will not make a way to deliver his Church. Neither do we stand in less need of consolation to quicken us up at this day. And as for you, most noble King, it is very requisite that you be ready and watchful, in respect of the charge which is committed to you, seeing Isaiah exhorts all Kings and Magistrates, in the person of Cyrus, to reach forth their hand to the Church in her travail, to the end she may be restored to her former estate. Although in this regard your condition differs much from that of Cyrus, in that he being but a stranger over the Lord's flock was never taught expressly, willingly, and with a frank courage to offer himself to restore and maintain the Church: but you, whom the Lord has not only vouchsafed to receive by adoption, but has also placed you in highest rank among his children; the Prophet calls you to this office, as if he reached you out his hand. So much the more confidently therefore, and with the more ardent affection ought you to proceed on in this race. The matter (as I have said) is in itself full of great difficulties, entangled with much tediousness, and mingled with dangers; because Satan ceases not to broach his cunning shifts and devices (if by any means he might) either to overthrow, or destroy the holy temple of God; sometimes also God by such trials will prove our constancy. But if you be resolved, that hitherto you have undertaken nothing by your most grave Counsel but by divine authority from God's word, and that for the present you so continue in restoring the estate of the Church, no doubt but you shall find by experience how wonderfully God will effect that which he has given his Ministers in charge: England shall receive an incomparable fruit from this so happy a going forward: and we shall have cause too, with you and your whole kingdom to rejoice. In the meanwhile I will not cease to further your holy endeavors, as there is good cause, by my poor prayers, in regard they are the best means I am able to afford you. Farewell most noble King. The Lord long preserve your flourishing estate, assist and guide you by his holy Spirit, and in all things bless and prosper you. So be it. From Geneva this twenty-fifth of December, 1551.
