Be not discouraged, neither trouble one another. Avoid all kinds of animosities and bitterness. For nothing is more likely to prevent the execution of designs for the public good.

"To be defended from all these evils, each one must be satisfied with the condition in which he is placed, and all acquit themselves generally with fidelity in the employment committed to them. I entreat you also to be careful, that neither favour nor hatred have any influence upon your judgments in civil processes; and to take care that neither fraud, solicitations, nor any other oblique means have any influence against right and just reason. Should you be tempted to support the bad cause through interest, resist it vigorously; considering him who hath raised you to this dignity, and asking of him the succours of his Holy Spirit. Finally, as I have been the subject of many weaknesses and imperfections, which I confess before God, and before his holy angels, and before you, highly honoured seigneurs, I once more beseech you to excuse and pardon them."

Having finished this discourse, he besought God to load them with his favours, and to conduct them by his Holy Spirit, for the advantage of the republic; and having shaken

hands with them all, bade them farewell; the seigneurs, who considered him their common father, could not separate from him without tears, or without discovering the deepest distress.

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On the 28th of April, all the ministers of the town, and those of the country, being assembled in his room, according to his desire, he addressed them in the following discourse: "I exhort you, my brethren, to discover after my death, the same zeal in the exercise of charge, which you have hitherto shewn; and never to lose courage being persuaded that the Lord will defend this church, and this republic from all the dangers with which they are threatened. Suffer not divisions and enmities ever to destroy that mutual charity which ought to reign amongst you. Think continually of what you owe to the flocks of which you are the pastors; and let nothing separate you from them. I know that those who wish to desert them will not want pretexts to colour their infidelity; but a fatal experience will one day convince them, that the Lord cannot be mocked.

"When I first arrived in this city, the gospel was indeed preached, but disorder and confusion were so universal, that every body made christianity to consist in the overthrow

of the laws; and I suffered many indignities from several base persons, whose insolence I endeavoured to repress. However, though naturally extremely timid, God banished from my heart all fear, and gave me so firm and intrepid a courage, that I resisted all the attempts of the wicked, and was invincible to all their attacks.

"When I returned from Strasbourg, I confess that it was with extreme reluctance, that I yielded to the earnest prayers of this church; because I thought that all my cares would produce no fruit. For I was ignorant of the designs of Divine Providence; and I perceived that I was engaging in an enterprize full of difficulties, which to me, appeared insurmountable. But, having begun this holy work, and continuing to apply to it all my exertions, I found at length, that God poured his benedictions upon my labour.

"Persist then constantly in the vocation with which you are called; preserve the order and the rules which are observed in this church: do all that depends upon you to retain this people in their duty; for you are not ignorant of the great number of the wicked and the rebellious. You perceive that this church is not now in a low condition; and

you will draw upon yourselves the judgments of God, if it should ever be destroyed by your negligence. Finally, I declare to you, my brethren, that I have always been united to you by a sincere friendship; that if during this affliction you have felt any effects of my grief, I entreat your pardon, and return you a thousand thanks for having borne with my defects so long a time.”

Calvin having been informed by a letter from Farel, that though he was eighty-four years of age, and loaded with infirmities, he had resolved to visit him; he replied, "I wish you perfect health, my very dear brother, and since God intends you should remain in this world after me, remember ever our union, which hath produced so many advantages to the church, and the fruit of which we shall gather in heaven.

"I beg, however, that you would not on my account expose yourself to the fatigue of a journey. My respiration is difficult, and I am about to breathe the last gasp, happy to live and die in Jesus Christ, who is gain to all his children in life and in death; I bid you, and all my brethren, my last adieu.

"At Geneva, May 2, 1564.”

This letter did not, however, prevent the venerable old man from paying his last attentions to Calvin; after having seen and conversed with him, he returned the next day to Neufchatel.

From this time to the period of his death he was incessantly employed in prayer to God. It was, indeed, in a low voice, interrupted by a shortness of breath, with which he was oppressed; but his sparkling eyes, constantly directed towards heaven, and the serenity of his countenance, discovered the ardour of his petitions, and his confidence in the mercy of God. In his most violent pains he frequently repeated those words of David; "I was dumb, Lord, because thou didst it." And sometimes those of Isaiah; "I mourn like the dove," And frequently, lifting up his heart to God, he would exclaim, "Lord thou bruisest me, but I suffer with patience, since it is thy hand that hath done it."

To admit all the persons who wished to express their regret at the prospect of losing. him, the door of his chamber must have been open night and day. But as he spoke with difficulty, he requested that his friends would be contented to pray to God for him, and spare