第 49 节
作者:乐乐陶陶      更新:2021-02-24 23:08      字数:9321
  that Calvin was obliged to publish his Genevan Catechism in Latin。
  He also offended many by his outspoken rebuke of sin; for he aimed
  at a complete reformation of morals; like Latimer in London and
  like Savonarola at Florence。  He sought to reprove amusements which
  were demoralizing; or thought to be so in their influence。  The
  passions of the people were excited; and the city was torn by
  parties; and such was the reluctance to submit to the discipline of
  the ministers that they refused to administer the sacraments。  This
  created such a ferment that the syndics expelled Calvin and Farel
  from the city。  They went at first to Berne; but the Bernese would
  not receive them。  They then retired to Basle; wearied; wet; and
  hungry; and from Basle they went to Strasburg。  It was in this city
  that Calvin dwelt three years; spending his time in lecturing on
  divinity; in making contributions to exegetical theology; in
  perfecting his 〃Institutes;〃 forming a close alliance with
  Melancthon and other leading reformers。  So pre…occupied was he
  with his labors as a commentator of the Scriptures; that he even
  contemplated withdrawing from the public service of religion。
  Calvin was a scholar as well as theologian; and quiet labors in his
  library were probably more congenial to his tastes than active
  parochial duties。  His highest life was amid his books; in serene
  repose and lofty contemplation。  At this time he had an extensive
  correspondence; his advice being much sought for its wisdom and
  moderation。  His judgment was almost unerring; since he was never
  led away by extravagances or enthusiasm: a cold; calm man even
  among his friends and admirers。  He had no passions; he was all
  intellect。  It would seem that in his exile he gave lectures on
  divinity; being invited by the Council of Strasburg; and also
  interested himself in reference to the Sacrament of the Lord's
  Supper; which he would withhold from the unworthy。  He lived
  quietly in his retreat; and was much respected by the people of the
  city where he dwelt。
  In 1539 a convention was held at Frankfort; at which Calvin was
  present as the envoy of the city of Strasburg。  Here; for the first
  time; he met Melancthon; but there was no close intimacy between
  them until these two great men met in the following year at a Diet
  which was summoned at Worms by the Emperor Charles V。; in order to
  produce concord between the Catholics and Protestants; and which
  was afterwards removed to Ratisbon。  Melancthon represented one
  party; and Doctor Eck the other。  Melancthon and Bucer were
  inclined to peace; and Cardinal Contarini freely offered his hand;
  agreeing with the reformers to adopt the idea of Justification as
  his starting point; allowing that it proceeds from faith; without
  any merit of our own; but; like Luther and Calvin; he opposed any
  attempt at union which might compromise the truth; and had no faith
  in the movement。  Neither party; as it was to be expected; was
  satisfied。  The main subject of the dispute was in reference to the
  Eucharist。  Calvin denied the real presence of Christ in the
  Sacrament; regarding it as a symbol;though one of special divine
  influence。  But on this point the Catholics have ever been
  uncompromising from the times of Berengar。  Nor was Luther fully
  emancipated from the Catholic doctrine; modifying without
  essentially changing it。  Calvin maintained that 〃This is my body〃
  meant that it signified 〃my body。〃  In regard to original sin and
  free…will; as represented by Augustine; there was no dispute; but
  much difficulty attended the interpretation of the doctrine of
  Justification。  The greatest difficulty was in reference to the
  doctrine of Transubstantiation; which was rejected by the reformers
  because it had not the sanction of the Scriptures; and when it was
  found that this caused insuperable difficulties about the Lord's
  Supper; it was thought useless to proceed to other matters; like
  confession; masses for the dead; and the withholding the cup from
  the laity。  There was not so great a difference between the
  Catholic and Protestant theologians concerning the main body of
  dogmatic divinity as is generally supposed。  The fundamental
  questions pertaining to God; the Trinity; the mission and divinity
  of Christ; original sin; free…will; grace; predestination; had been
  formulated by Thomas Aquinas with as much severity as by Calvin。
  The great subjects at issue; in a strictly theological view; were
  Justification and the Eucharist。  Respecting free…will and
  predestination; the Catholic theologians have never been agreed
  among themselves;some siding with Augustine; like Aquinas;
  Bernard; and Anselm; and some with Pelagius; like Abelard and
  Lainez the Jesuit at the Council of Trent (a council assembled by
  the Pope; with the concurrence of Charles V。 of Germany and Francis
  I。 of France); the decrees of which; against the authority of
  Augustine in this matter; seem to be now the established faith of
  the Roman Catholic Church。
  After the Diet of Ratisbon; Calvin returned to Geneva; at the eager
  desire of the people。  The great Council summoned him to return;
  every voice was raised for him。  〃Calvin; that learned and
  righteous man;〃 they said; 〃it is he whom we would have as the
  minister of the Lord。〃  Yet he did not willingly return; he
  preferred his quiet life at Strasburg; but obeyed the voice of
  conscience。  On the 13th of September; 1541; he returned to his
  penitent congregation; and was received by the whole city with
  every demonstration of respect; and a cloth cloak was given him as
  a present; which he seemed to need。
  The same year he was married to a widow; Idelette de Burie; who was
  a worthy; well…read; high…minded woman; with whom he lived happily
  for nine years; until her death。  She was superior to Luther's
  wife; Catherine Bora; in culture and dignity; and was a helpmate
  who never opposed her husband in the slightest matter; always
  considering his interests。  Esteem and friendship seem to have been
  the basis of this union;not passionate love; which Calvin did not
  think much of。  When his wife died it seems he mourned for her with
  decent grief; but did not seek a second marriage; perhaps because
  he was unable to support a wife on his small stipend as she would
  wish and expect。  He rather courted poverty; and refused reasonable
  gratuities。  His body was attenuated by fasting and study; like
  that of Saint Bernard。  When he was completing his 〃Institutes;〃 he
  passed days without eating and nights without sleeping。  And as he
  practised poverty he had a right to inculcate it。  He kept no
  servant; lived in a small tenement; and was always poorly clad。  He
  derived no profit from any of his books; and the only present he
  ever consented to receive was a silver goblet from the Lord of
  Varennes。  Luther's stipend was four hundred and fifty florins; and
  he too refused a yearly gift from the booksellers of four hundred
  dollars; not wishing to receive a gratuity for his writings。
  Calvin's salary was only fifty dollars a year; with a house; twelve
  measures of corn and two pipes of wine; for tea and coffee were
  then unknown in Europe; and wine seems to have been the usual
  beverage; after water。  He was pre…eminently a conscientious man;
  not allowing his feelings to sway his judgment。  He was sedate and
  dignified and cheerful; though Bossuet accuses him of a surly
  disposition;un genre triste; un esprit chagrin。  Though formal
  and stern; women never shrank from familiar conversation with him
  on the subject of religion。  Though intolerant of error; he
  cherished no personal animosities。  Calvin was more refined than
  Luther; and never like him gave vent to coarse expressions。  He had
  not Luther's physical strength; nor his versatility of genius; nor
  as a reformer was he so violent。  〃Luther aroused; Calvin
  tranquillized。〃  The one stormed the great citadel of error; the
  other furnished the weapons for holding it after it was taken。  The
  former was more popular; the latter appealed to a higher
  intelligence。  The Saxon reformer was more eloquent; the Swiss
  reformer was more dialectical。  The one advocated unity; the other
  theocracy。  Luther was broader; Calvin engrafted on his reforms the
  Old Testament observances。  The watchword of the one was Grace;
  that of the other was Predestination。  Luther cut knots; Calvin
  made systems。  Luther destroyed; Calvin legislated。  His great
  principle of government was aristocratic。  He wished to see both
  Church and State governed by a select few of able men。  In all his
  writings we see no trace of popular sovereignty。  He interested
  himself; like Savonarola; in political institutions; but would
  separate the functions of the magistracy from those of the clergy;
  and he clung to the notion of a theocratic government; like Jewish
  legislators and the popes themselves。  The idea of a theocracy was
  the basis of Calvin's system of legislation; as it was that