in a somewhat exaggerated and sportive to to notice the accusation of a monk in respe of the marriage relation: "Great God !-can bring against Beza even the least susp myself before any tribunal." In his secon asserts his innocence in stronger termhis accuser should bring his proofs, shameless calumniator. But proof wa demands, that the claim of Beza sho

Departure from France

In the fall of 1548 Beza was p his numerous friends knew the e said little of the struggles which to break away from his native and to forego the posts of hor and to throw in his lot with ti however given the outlines o it up. "It was," he says, " wretch that I was, who ha into the fearful abyss, shou ter speaking of his marria God helped me to resist a honor, to such a degree t! them reproached me, and Yet I remained a long t upon me, I was desti my uncle offered me al science admonished m and, on the other, the i friendly manner, and brother were still mo cumstances, as one en at this time God piti with a severe sick cover. What coul

but the fearful jud

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perishim

gees Tu

been seer trance o

..spring approached. In April 1549, Beza made France, and perhaps to his native Vezelay, but J conjecture as to its object. We may naturally u console his father, now lord of Vezelay, for the to appease his wounded pride and that of his the heresy of the son and brother. It is not some pecuniary transactions may have demanded e laconic protocol of the republic of Geneva -ne period of his return: "On the third of May, arrived here, among whom is Theodore Beza, ission to take up their residence with us." indeed a consolation to Calvin, who about this time The death of his wife, assailed by disease and worn actions in his little community. A catholic biograevan reformer, says: Had the soul of Calvin been would, in verse, have hailed the advent of this muse seemed to send him in order to mingle a little honey gall and tears, which he was doomed to quaff to the Beza, steeped in Greek and Latin, promised to be d as obedient as Philip the disciple of Luther, and he 1. His "milder and softer nature" peculiarly fitted him is more rigid but now stricken and wearied fellow-pilgrim, he soon became one in thought and feeling. It is pleasant at the union now formed between them, was never disturbed. n not separated by duty was ever with him whom he loved ther, in health and sickness, and finally stood by him to cheer hours of life, and was ready to defend the character of his after he was gathered to his fathers. He had not yet however d anything in reference to his future course of life. It is not to ondered at, that in the harassing uncertainty in which he was ed, his thoughts reverted to his old teacher, whose wise and patercounsel had so often been to him as a light shining in a dark place. is not improbable that he looked upon a situation near him as posle, as it certainly was desirable. At least, near the close of August f the year of his return to Geneva, he prepared to visit Germany. A joyous meeting it surely was when the pupil, supposed to be still at Paris, fell upon the neck of the Professor, and the foster-mother cast her astonished eyes upon her Theodore, now grown to man's estate. Doubly joyous were they when he made known to them that he had renounced all catholic superstitions, and that the good seed sown in his heart at Bourges, though long obstructed by the overlying incumbrances of evil passions and inclination, had finally, by the grace of

reformation at a later period, and to supply his place in the consistory of Geneva."

It has been previously mentioned that his marriage was publicly celebrated the first time that he entered a church after his arrival in Geneva. It was not without much feeling that he, as he approached, heard chanted forth from the assembly, many of them like himself refugees for the sake of the gospel, the words of the ninety-first Psalm according to Marot's version: He, who sits under the protection of the Most High and abideth under the shadow of the Almighty, saith to the Lord: My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust, etc. And the answering declaration of Jehovah was specially consoling to him: He calleth upon me, and I will hear him; I am with him in his necessities, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and will show him my salvation. The Psalm was ever after especially dear to him, and ever recurred to him in times of trouble.

First Abode in Geneva; Journey to France and Germany.

Beza was soon settled in a house at Geneva, and with a peaceful conscience, both in respect to his domestic relations and his religious duties, he experienced a happiness which had never before fallen to his lot. It is true, he had exchanged affluence for poverty, and instead of a life of careless ease, he now looked forward to one of toil and struggle. But he had counted the cost. He preferred the asperities of a life of obedience to God and conscience, before all the luxuries and blandishments of a life devoted to the god of this world. Neither did he feel that his influence on the side of the reformers gave him any claim to favor. He immediately applied himself to the acquisition, by personal exertion, of maintenance and independence for himself and family. Crispin, a kindred spirit, first made the proposal to him, which subsequently eventuated in so much good, to establish a printing press in Geneva, which might powerfully aid the cause of the reformation and humanistic learning, especially in France, where in consequence of rigid edicts and the vigilant watchfulness of the inquisition, the printing of the writings of the reformers and even of translations of the Bible was attended with danger, and the deficiency could not be supplied without recourse to Basle or Germany. But while Crispin was preparing to put his plan into execution, and endeavoring to persuade Beza who was yet undecided, perhaps partly through the influence of Calvin, who urged him to higher exertions, the last months of the year passed away, (occupied mainly in resisting the obstinate attacks Henry, Vol. II. p. 84.

1

1850.]

Life in Geneva.

527

of the Libertines), and spring approached. In April 1549, Beza made a journey probably to France, and perhaps to his native Vezelay, but we are left entirely to conjecture as to its object. We may naturally suppose that it was to console his father, now lord of Vezelay, for the loss of himself, and to appease his wounded pride and that of his family on account of the heresy of the son and brother. It is not improbable also that some pecuniary transactions may have demanded his attendance. The laconic protocol of the republic of Geneva probably designates the period of his return: "On the third of May, 1549, eight noblemen arrived here, among whom is Theodore Beza, and they have permission to take up their residence with us."

His return was indeed a consolation to Calvin, who about this time was bereaved by the death of his wife, assailed by disease and worn out by incessant factions in his little community. A catholic biographer of the Genevan reformer, says: Had the soul of Calvin been more poetic, he would, in verse, have hailed the advent of this muse which Heaven seemed to send him in order to mingle a little honey in his cup of gall and tears, which he was doomed to quaff to the very dregs. Beza, steeped in Greek and Latin, promised to be as learned and as obedient as Philip the disciple of Luther, and he kept his word. His "milder and softer nature" peculiarly fitted him to comfort his more rigid but now stricken and wearied fellow-pilgrim, with whom he soon became one in thought and feeling. It is pleasant to know that the union now formed between them, was never disturbed. Beza when not separated by duty was ever with him whom he loved to call father, in health and sickness, and finally stood by him to cheer the last hours of life, and was ready to defend the character of his friend after he was gathered to his fathers. He had not yet however decided anything in reference to his future course of life. It is not to be wondered at, that in the harassing uncertainty in which he was placed, his thoughts reverted to his old teacher, whose wise and paternal counsel had so often been to him as a light shining in a dark place. It is not improbable that he looked upon a situation near him as possible, as it certainly was desirable. At least, near the close of August of the year of his return to Geneva, he prepared to visit Germany.

A joyous meeting it surely was when the pupil, supposed to be still at Paris, fell upon the neck of the Professor, and the foster-mother cast her astonished eyes upon her Theodore, now grown to man's estate. Doubly joyous were they when he made known to them that he had renounced all catholic superstitions, and that the good seed sown in his heart at Bourges, though long obstructed by the overlying incumbrances of evil passions and inclination, had finally, by the grace of

God, sprung into vigorous life. After the first greetings were over, Beza made known the object of his journey. The state of things at this time was specially unsettled in Germany under the Interim which had just come into full operation, and any desires that Beza might have had to reside permanently in Germany were soon dispelled. Many evangelical preachers had already taken refuge in Switzerland, and a general persecution of the "evangelicals" was feared, so that Geneva with all its factions scarcely held in subjection by the strong arm of Calvin, was a more safe and desirable place of residence than any of the German towns. Yet the project of a printing press and the usual concomitant, a book-shop, did not strike Wolmar favorably. Although this business had been sanctioned by such scholars as Robert Stephens, J. Badius, Oporinus and Plater, yet he thought that a young man of so much genius and cultivation as Beza, should occupy a more influential position in the learned world and in the church.

Beza took leave of his friends in Germany near the end of August without having fixed upon his future course. He returned in company with the Genevan book publisher, stopping at Basle, where he made the acquaintance of Oporinus, and at Lausanne, where he immediately sought out Viret, whom he had probably before seen at Geneva. His arrival was a source of joy to the numerous refugees collected there from the different provinces of France. Any new comer from there was hailed as a brother, but Beza, so well fitted to interest by his genius, learning, and especially by his noble nature and courtly bearing in society, was received with enthusiastic delight. The school at Lausanne was an object of special solicitude to those who embraced the principles of the reformation, and especially to Viret who was the very mainspring of the reformed cause there. Well might they count it a great gain if they could retain the services of Beza as teacher. It was a post that he seemed eminently qualified to fill. After Viret had given his guest a most hearty welcome, he told him that his face seemed to indicate a restoration of health, and besought him to devote himself to the service of the church and, if it might be, take the chair of ancient literature in the school. So much in earnest was he, that when Beza gave an undecided answer, he wrote forthwith (Aug. 29th) to his friends at Geneva to implore them to unite their solicitations with his; "for," he says, "I doubt not that the assistance of this man will in a short time be very serviceable to us. He would truly be a great ornament to the school here, and an instrument in the highest degree fitted for the execution of the greatest and varied offices. He hopes to return within a month. I am aware that you cannot but desire the society and companionship of such a man, but the welfare of