THE following extract from Calvin’s preface to his Commentary on the book of Psalms is autobiographical, and is interesting as containing the only extant reference from his own pen to his conversion. The interest attaching to the great Reformer’s own account of the genesis of the well-known Institutes, which is also contained in this extract, is only less than that attaching to the account given of his conversion:—
“When I was as yet a very little boy my father had destined me for the study of theology. But afterwards, when he considered that the legal profession commonly raised those who followed it to wealth, this prospect induced him suddenly to change his purpose. Thus it came to pass, that I was withdrawn from the study of philosophy, and was put to the study of law. To this pursuit I endeavoured faithfully to apply myself in obedience to the will of my father, but God, by the secret guidance of His providence, at length gave a different direction to my course. And first, since I was too obstinately devoted to the superstitions of Popery to be easily extricated from so profound an abyss of mire, God by a sudden conversion subdued and brought my mind to a teachable frame, which was more hardened in such matters than might have been expected from one at my early period of life. Having thus received some taste of knowledge of true godliness, I was immediately inflamed with so intense a desire to make progress therein, that although I did not altogether leave off other duties, I yet pursued them with less ardour.
I was quite surprised to find that before a year had elapsed, all who had any desire after purer doctrine were continually coming
to me to learn, although I myself was as yet but a mere novice and tyro. Being of a disposition somewhat unpolished and bashful, which led me always to love the shade, and retirement, I then began to seek some secluded corner where I might be withdrawn from the public view; but so far from being able to accomplish the object of my desire, all my retreats were like public schools. In short, while my own great object was to live in seclusion without being known, God so led me about through different turnings and changes, that He never permitted me to rest in any place until, in spite of my natural disposition, He brought me forth into public notice. Leaving my native country, France, I, in fact, retired into Germany, expressly for the purpose of being able there to enjoy, in some obscure corner, the repose which I had always desired, and which had been so long denied me. But lo! while I lay hidden at Basle, and known only to a few people, many faithful and holy persons were burnt alive in France; and the report of these burnings having reached foreign nations, they excited the strongest disapprobation among a great part of the Germans, whose indignation was kindled against the authors of such tyranny. In order to allay this indignation, certain wicked and lying pamphlets were circulated, stating, that none were treated with such cruelty but Anabaptists and seditious persons, who, by their perverse ravings and false opinions, were overthrowing, not only religion, but also, all civil order. Observing that the object which these instruments of the Court aimed at by their disguises, was not only that the disgrace of shedding so much innocent blood might remain buried under the false charges and calumnies which they brought against the holy martyrs after their death, but also, that afterwards they might be able to proceed to the utmost extremity in murdering the poor saints without exciting compassion towards them in the breasts of any, it appeared to me, that unless I opposed them to the utmost of my ability, my silence could not be vindicated from the charge of cowardice and treachery. This was the consideration which induced me to publish my “Institute of the Christian Religion.” My objects were, first, to prove that these reports were false and calumnious, and thus to vindicate my brethren, whose death was precious in the sight of the Lord, and next, that as the same cruelties might very soon after be exercised against many unhappy individuals, foreign nations might be touched with, at least, some compassion towards them and solicitude about them. When it was then published, it was not that copious and laboured work which it now is, but only a small treatise containing a summary of the principal truths of the Christian religion; and it was published with no other design than that men might know what was the faith held by those whom I saw basely and wickedly defamed by those flagitious and perfidious flatterers. That my object was not to acquire fame, appeared from this, that immediately after, I left Basle, and particularly from the fact that nobody there knew that I was the author.”