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Memoirs of the life and writings of John Calvin
Memoirs of the life and writings of John Calvin Author:Elijah Waterman Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: . i of prayers, whereby the consent of all the Churches did more manifestly appear. But he advises a more complete Reformation. He taxed the prayers for t... more »he dead, the use of chrism, and extreme unction, since they were no where recommended in scripture. He had heard, that the reason why they went no farther, was, because the times would not bear it: But this was to do the work of God by political maxims; which, though they ought to take place in other things, yet should not be followed in matters in which the salvation of the soul is concerned. But above all, he complained of the impieties and vices which were so common in England ; as swearing, drinking and uncleanness, and prayed him earnestly that these things might be looked after." Such is the account which Burnet gives of the elegant letter of Calvin to the Duke of Somerset.- When Nicolaus, the messenger, delivered it to the Duke, and informed him that he had another for the King, he graciously undertook the office of delivering it, and went the next day to the palace, where it was received with great pleasure by the young monarch and the royal Council. Cranmer informed Nicolaus, that Calvin could do nothing more useful than to write often to the King.j: Bucer still remained at Strasburg, but the troubles in Germany about the Interim daily increasing, he yielded to the request of Archbishop Cranmer, and with Paul Fagi- us$ arrived in England in the spring of 1549-11 Buccr wasappointed Professor of Theology at Cambridge, and gave Calvin an account of the state of religion in that country. Considering the temporizing spirit ef Bucer, and the extensive benefit he might render the English Church, Calvin, in his answer, advised him to be decisive and express on the subject of the Lord's Supper, and effectually consoled him...« less