Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/168

 130 Readings in European History Calvin's arrival in Geneva (August, 260. Calvin's project for church gov- ernment submitted to the Geneva town council (January, 1537)- the sermon against his conscience. . . . We admonished him that he should within three days obey the proclamation or show just cause why he should not. He replied, " I wish to live according to the gospel of God, but I do not wish to adopt the interpretation of certain individuals, but to follow that of the Holy Spirit through the holy mother Church Universal in which I believe." Asked to say whether he would go to the sermon or no, he replied that his conscience would not permit him to go, and that he would not act against its dictates ; for it was directed by a higher author- ity than that of preachers. Having heard these things, the council ordered that if he did not obey the proclamations, and go to the sermon as established, he and his family should leave the city within ten days. In August, 1536, Calvin happening to pass through Geneva, expecting to spend but one night there, was seized upon by Farel, who, as Calvin reports, " burning with a marvelous zeal to advance the gospel, made every effort to hold me." Calvin consented to remain. The town records show that the ministers, Farel, Cal- vin, and others, were constantly appearing before the town council to denounce sinful practices and suggest reforms. The following plan for exercising control over evil doers by means of excommunication and public censors was submitted to the town authorities by the ministers. Our Lord established excommunication as a means of cor- rection and discipline, by which those who led a disordered life unworthy of a Christian, and who despised to mend their ways and return to the strait way after they had been admonished, should be expelled from the body of the church and cut off as rotten members until they come to themselves and acknowledge their fault. . . . We have an example given by St. Paul (1 Tim. i and 1 Cor. v), in a solemn warn- ing that we should not keep company with one who is