After the execution of Stowell's, and the ex pulsion of the Libertines, two years later, Cal vin's power in Geneva NVOIS firmly established. and lie used it vigorously and beneficently for the defense of Protestantism throughout Europe. By the mediation of Item, he made his influence felt in France in the great struggle there going on between the hierarchical party, with the Guises at its head, and the Protestants, led by and Coligny. In 1561 his energies began to fail. Ile had long been suffering, from bad health. hut his strength of will and buoyancy of intellect sustained 1611) amid all his bodily weak ness. In the year now mentioned, his bad health greatly increased. and although he survived for more than two years, he never regained his vigor. Ile died in Geneva on May 27, 1564.
Very different estimates, it may be imagined, have been formed of Calvin's character, accord ing to the point of view from which it is con templated. None, can dispute his in tellectual greatness. or the powerful services which he rendered to the cause of Protestantism. Stern in spirit and unyielding in will, he is never selfish or petty in his motives. Nowhere amia ble, he is everywhere strong. Arbitrary and cruel when it suits him, he is yet heroic in his aims, and beneficent in the scope of his ambition. Earnest from the first, looking upon life as a serious reality, his moral purpose is always clear and definite—to live a life of duty, to shape cir cumstances to such divine ends as he appre hended, and, in whatever sphere lie might be placed, to work out the glory of God.
He rendered a double service to Protestantism, which, apart from anything else, would have made his name illustrious; he systematized its doctrine and he organized its ecclesiastical dis cipline. He was at once the great theologian of the Reformation, and the founder of a new Church polity, which did more than all other in fluences together to consolidate the scattered forces of the Reformation and give them an en during strength. As a religious teacher, as a social legislator, and as a writer, especially of the French language. then in process of forma
tion, his fame is second to none in his age. and must always conspicuously adorn the history of civilization. Among Calvin's most important works are: Christiana Rcligionis Institutio (1536) ; De Necessitate Reformandm Eceleskr (1544) ; Commcntaires sue in concordance on harmonic des Erangelistes (1361) ; In Norton Testament um Commontarii; In Libros Psalm orum. Commentarii; In Librum Geneseos Cont mental-H. The first edition of Calvin's whole works is that of Amsterdam. 1671, in 9 vols., fol., but this has been superseded by the definitive and critical edition begun by J. W. Baum, E. Cn nitz, and E. Reuss, and finished by Lobstein and Erichson (59 vols., Brunswick and Berlin. 1863 1900). Consult A. Eriehson. Bibliographica Cal viniana (Berlin, 1900). By the Calvin Transla tion Society. in Edinburgh. his works have been collected, translated into English, and issued in 51 vols.. 1843-55. For his biography, consult: T. de Beza (Geneva, 1564; n. e. Paris, 1869). the original life, written a few weeks after Cal vin's death; J. Bolsee (Lyons, 1577; n. e. 18751: and J. 31. V. Audin (Paris, 1841: 6th ed. 1873). written from the Roman Catholic standpoint: P. Henry (3 vols., Hamburg, 1833-44), English translation abridged and altered by Stehbing (London. 1851) ; T. H. Dyer (London. 1850) ; F. Bungener (Paris, 1863. English translation Edinburgh, 1863) ; E. Staehelin (Elberfeld. 1863) A. Pierson (Amsterdam. 1883.911—all of which are written from the Protestant point of view. A very valuable and impartial book from a Roman Catholic is. F. W. Kampsehulte, Johann Cal•in, seine Niggle end seta Stoat in Genf (Leipzig, 1869-991. An exhaustive work is that of E. Doumergue, of which the first volume appeared in Lausanne in 1899. It contains many illustrations from original drawings. fac similes, etc.. and is the work of a lifetime. Con sult also the biography of Calvin by Philip Schaff in his of the Christian Church (New York, 1892), Vol. V11.. pp. 257-844.