John Calvin to the Reader

At the first setting out of this work, because I did not look for that success which the Lord of his immeasurable goodness has given, I had (as men use to do in small works) for the most part lightly passed it over. But when I understood that it was received with that favor of all the godly, which I never durst have desired, much less have hoped for: as I truly felt in my heart that much more was given to me than I had deserved, so I thought it should be a great unthankfulness if I should not at the least after my slender ability endeavor to answer so favorable affections toward me, and which of themselves provoked my diligence. And this I attempted not only in the second setting forth of it: but how often since that time the work has been imprinted, so often it has been enriched with some increase. But although I did not then repent me of the labor that I had employed: yet I never held myself contented till it was disposed into that order which is now set before you. Now I trust I have given you that which may be allowed by all your judgments. Truly with how great endeavor I have applied myself to the doing of this service to the Church of God, I may bring forth for an evident witness, that this last winter, when I thought that the fever quartan had summoned me to death, how much more the sickness enforced upon me, so much less I spared myself, till I might leave this book to outlive me, which might make some part of thankful recompense to so gentle provoking of the godly. I had rather indeed it had been done sooner: but it is soon enough if well enough. And I shall then think that it is come abroad in good season, when I shall perceive that it has brought yet more plentiful fruit than it has done heretofore to the Church of God. This is my only desire. And truly full ill it were with me, if I did not, holding myself contented with the allowance of God alone, despise the judgments of men, whether they be the foolish and froward judgments of the unskillful, or the wrongful and malicious of the wicked. For although God has thoroughly settled my mind to the endeavor both of enlarging his kingdom, and of helping the common profit: and though I am clear in my own conscience, and have himself and the angels to witness with me, that since I took upon me the office of a teacher in the Church, I have tended to none other purpose but that I might profit the Church in maintaining the pure doctrine of godliness: yet I think there is no man that has been snatched at, bitten, and torn in sunder with more slanders than I. When my epistle was now in printing, I was certainly informed that at Augsburg where the assembly of the states of the Empire was holden, there was a rumor spread abroad of my revolting to the Papacy, and the same was more greedily received in the courts of Princes than was fitting. This forsooth is their thankfulness who are not ignorant of many trials had of my steadfastness, which trials as they shake off so foul a slander, so they should with all indifferent and gentle judges have defended me from it. But the Devil with his whole rout is deceived if in oppressing me with filthy lies, he thinks that by his unjust dealing I shall be either the more discouraged or made the less diligent: because I trust that the Lord of his immeasurable goodness will grant me that I may with even sufferance continue in the course of his holy calling. Of which I give to the godly readers a new proof in this setting forth of this book. Now in this travail this was my purpose so to prepare and furnish them that be studious of holy Divinity to the reading of the word of God, that they may both have an easy entry into it, and go forward in it without stumbling: for I think that I have in all points so knit up together the sum of religion, and disposed the same in such order, that whoever shall well have it in mind, it shall not be hard for him to determine both what he ought chiefly to seek in the Scripture, and to what mark to apply whatever is contained in it. Therefore, this as it were a way being once made plain, if I shall hereafter set forth any expositions of Scripture, because I shall not need to enter into long disputations of articles of doctrine, and to wander out into common places: I will always knit them up shortly. By this means the godly reader shall be eased of great pain and tediousness, so that he come furnished beforehand with the knowledge of this present work as with a necessary instrument. But because the intent of this purpose does clearly as in mirrors appear in so many commentaries of mine, I had rather to declare in deed what it is, than to set it out in words. Farewell, friendly reader, and if you receive any fruit of my labors, help me with your prayers to God our Father.

At Geneva, the first day of August in the year 1559.

Augustine in his 7th Epistle. I profess myself to be one of the number of them, which write in profiting, and profit in writing.

When I first began this work, I expected nothing less than that it would eventually be presented to your Majesty. My intent was simply to teach certain foundational truths by which those touched with some zeal for religion might be instructed in true godliness. I undertook this labor primarily for my fellow Frenchmen, of whom I understood many to be hungry and thirsty for Christ, yet I saw very few who had rightly received even a small knowledge of Him. The book itself shows this was my aim, being written in a simple and straightforward manner. But when I saw that the furious rage of certain wicked men had so prevailed in your kingdom that there was no room left for sound doctrine, I thought it worth my effort to accomplish two things in one work: to give instruction to believers, and to offer a confession before you — so that you might learn the nature of the doctrine against which those furious men burn with such rage, troubling your realm today with sword and fire. For I will not fear to confess that this work contains the very sum of that doctrine which they cry out should be punished with imprisonment, banishment, condemnation without trial, and with fire — that it should be driven out by land and sea. I know well with what terrible accusations they have filled your mind and ears, to make our cause hateful to you. Yet this you ought in your clemency to consider: there can be no innocence, in words or deeds, if accusation alone is enough to condemn. If anyone, to bring our doctrine into hatred, alleges that it has long been condemned by the consent of all ranks and has been found guilty in many court judgments already given — all that he says amounts to no more than this: that it has partly been violently suppressed by the power and influence of its adversaries, and partly been treacherously and deceitfully overwhelmed by their lies, clever schemes, and slanders. Violence is shown here, in that bloody sentences are pronounced against it without hearing the case. Fraud is shown here, in that it is falsely accused of sedition and wrongdoing. That no one may think we complain of these things without cause, you yourself can bear witness, most noble King, with what lying slanders it is daily accused before you — that it aims at nothing less than wresting scepters from kings' hands, overthrowing all judges' seats and judgments, subverting all civil order and government, troubling the peace and quiet of the people, abolishing all laws, destroying all property and possessions, and finally turning everything upside down. And yet you hear only the smallest part. For they spread horrible stories among the people — stories which, if true, the whole world would rightly judge worthy of a thousand fires and gallows. Who can wonder that a common hatred is stirred against it when such deeply unjust accusations are believed? This is why all ranks agree and conspire in condemning us and our doctrine. Those who sit in judgment, seized by this passion, pronounce as verdicts the predetermined conclusions they brought with them from home, and think they have discharged their duty well enough if they send no one to execution except those found guilty by their own confession or by sufficient witnesses. But guilty of what charge? Of that condemned doctrine, they say. But condemned by what law? This is where the defense should have stood — not in denying the doctrine itself, but in maintaining it as true. But here all freedom even to whisper is utterly cut off from us.

At Geneva, the first day of August in the year 1559.

Augustine in his 7th Epistle: I count myself among those who write as they grow, and grow as they write.