himself came to open it to him. Eckius enquiring for Mr. Calvin, he was told he was the person. Eckius acquainted him that he was a stranger; and having heard much of his fame was come to wait on him. Calvin invited him to come in; and he entered the house with him, where discoursing of many things concerning religion, Eckius perceived Calvin to be an ingenious learned man, and desired to know if he had not a garden to walk in: to which Calvin replying he had, they both went into it, and there Eckius began to enquire of him why he left the Roman church, and offered him some arguments to persuade him to return; but Calvin could by no means be persuaded to think of it. At last Eckius told him he would put his life in his hands; and then said he was Eckius the Pope's legate. At this discovery Calvin was not a little surprised, and begged his pardon that he had not treated him with the respect which was due to his quality. Eckius retur..ed the compliment.; and told him if he would come back to the Roman church he would certainly procure for him a Cardinal's Cap. But Calvin was not to be moved by such an offer, Eckius then asked him what revenue he had; he told the cardinal he had that house and garden, and fifty livres per annum, besides an annual present of some wine and corn, on which he lived very contentedly. Eckius told him that a man of his parts.

deserved a greater revenue; and then renewed his invitation to come over to the Romish church, promising him a better stipend if he would. But Calvin, giving him thanks, assured him he was well satisfied with his condition. About this time dinner was ready, when he entertained his guest as well as he could, excused the defects of it, and paid him great respect. Eckius after dinner, desired to know if he might not be admitted to see the church, which anciently was the cathedral of that city. Calvin very readily answered that he might; accordingly he sent to the officers to be ready with the keys, and desired some of the Syndics to be there present, not acquainting them who the stranger was. As soon

therefore, as it was convenient, they both went towards the church, and as Eckius was coming out of Calvin's house he drew out a purse, with about one hundred pistoles, and presented it to Calvin ; but Calvin desired to be excused: Eckius told him he gave it to buy books, as well as to express his respect for him. Calvin, with much regret took the purse; and they proceeded to the church, where the Syndics and officers waited upon them; at the sight of whom, Eckius thought he had been betrayed, and whispered his thoughts in the ear of Calvin, who assured him of his safety. Thereupon they went into the church; and Eckius having seen all, told Calvin he did not

expect to find things in so decent an order, having been told to the contrary. After having taken a full view of every thing, Eckius was returning out of the church, but Calvin stopped him a little, and calling the Syndics and officers together, took out the purse of gold which Eckius had given him, telling them, that he had received that gold from this worthy stranger, and that he now gave it to the poor; and so put it all into the poor-box that was kept there. The Syndics thanked the stranger; and Eckius admired the charity and modesty of Calvin. When they where come out of the church, Calvin invited Eckius again to his house; but he replied that he must depart: so thanking him for his civilities, offered to take his leave. But Calvin waited upon him to the inn, and walked with him a mile out of the territories of Geneva, where, with great compliments, they took a farewell of each other.

See the State Letters and Memoirs of the Right Honourable Roger Boyle, page

4 and 5.

REFLECTIONS.

No blame attached to this celebrated disputant Eckius for his resolve to attempt reducing Calvin to the Roman Church. He believed him to have wandered out of the way of salvation, and, under this persuasion, the endeavour to reclaim him,

D

so far from being pragmatic, was highly commendable. He who supposes himself to know the only way of salvation, and yet is not concerned to communicate it to others, is not only culpable, but, as much as in him lies, suffers a soul to perish for lack of knowledge.

There must have been a high degree of curiosity and self confidence in Eckius, to seek this memorable interview. The first, might arise from the natural vigour of his mind; and the latter, might be a consequence of the theological warfare to which he was accustomed. Who can conceive the feelings excited in this active, determined, and powerful champion of the Papacy, when he first, and so abruptly, found himself in the presence of Calvin himself-of Calvin, the hero and the glory of the Reformed Church.

Eckius, yet unknown, acquainted Calvin, that he was a Stranger, and having heard MUCH OF HIS FAME, was come to wait on Him. The Reformer's celebrity was not the bubble of artificial fame, which touched by the thorn of examination, breaks at once, and is annihilated. No, it was a pyramid and it remains a pyramid, resisting the blasts of malignity, and withstanding the thunders of opposition; and on which is inscribed a NAME imperishable.

Eckius, the stranger, was treated with all due civilty. Calvin invited him to come in. Here was nothing haughty and repulsive, cold and suspicious. Calvin's knowledge was brought by Eckius to the test: and Eckius, it is well known, was no common Assayer. On trial, it was found to be sterling gold: he perceived him to be an ingenuous and learned man. He wrestled with him, as a controversialist, and though himself a man of might, and a master in the science of shifting, yet felt that Calvin was neither to be thrown by trick nor by force. He found hin no Timepleaser; but a pillar standing on the broad and deep base of a thorough conviction of the truth of what he professed. Calvin was a sun that dissipated the mist through which Eckius was accustomed to view him. Struck with the effulgence of his integrity, he told him that he would put his life in his hands, and then said he was Eckius the Pope's Legate. Nor was his confidence abused; for he found himself as secure in the house of this far-famed Heresiarch, as he would have been in a popish citadel. And well he might, for Calvin was a man of honor, not a man of blood.

It is no wonder that Calvin was not a little surprised at this singular disclosure. But it was not followed by a rude attack,