Servetus into their hands. Therefore, if they treat that rascal as he deserves; all the world will see that the Genevese hate blasphemers; that they prosecute with the sword of justice those heretics who are truly obstinate; and that they maintain and vindicate the glory of God.'

In a letter written by Calvin to Bullinger, dated October 25, are these words, "Tis not known yet what will be the fate of that man. However, as far as I can guess, the judges will condemn him to-morrow, and he will be executed the next day.'

It seems the judges had resolved on the 23rd of October to condemn Servetus to be burnt alive. This may be inferred from the following passage relating to that day. After having heard the answers before mentioned, and the decree of the ministers of churches; the said attainted Michael Servetus is referred to hear the goodwill of Messieurs, to administer justice day by day.'

I leave the reader to make his own remarks on this curious Correspondence, after asking this one question. If the spirit it discovers be

the spirit of reformation, what is the spirit

of popery?

SECTION VII.

Servetus condemned to die.

On the 26th of October Servetus was actually condemned to die. On the same day Calvin informed Farel by letter how the case stood.

The messenger (says he) that was sent to the Swiss, is come back. They all unanimously declare, that Servetus has revived the impious errors, with which Satan did formerly disturb the church; and that he is an intolerable monster. Those of Basil are right. Those of Zurich are the most vehement; for they express the heinousness of his impiety in very emphatical words, and exhort our magistrates to use him very severely. Those of Schaffhausen subscribe to their judgment. The letter of the divines at Berne, which is also to the purpose, is attended with that of their senate, whereby our magistrates have been very much animated. Cæsar, a comical man, who pretended to be sick for three days, came to court at last to acquit that profligate fellow; for he was not ashamed to

propose, that the cause should be removed to the council of two hundred. Nevertheless he has been condemned without any dispute. He will be executed to-morrow. We have endeavored to commute that sort of death; but it was in vain. I will tell you when I see you, why the judges have not granted our request.'

'Tis observable, that this letter was written to Farel, at Neufchatel, the 26th of October, and that he arrived at Geneva the next day, and consequently before he could receive it. It seems he went to Geneva of his own motion, to be present at the execution of Servetus.

The following is the process drawn up before the Syndics of Geneva, against Servetus, and the sentence pronounced on him, by those cruel magistrates.

'Process drawn up before our most dreaded Lords the Syndics, judges of criminal causes in this City, at the pursuit and instance of the Lord Lieutenant of the said City, against Michael Servetus, of Villanueva in the Kingdom of Arragon in Spain.

'Who in the first place has been convicted of having, about twenty-three or twenty-four years ago, caused a book to be printed at Agnon (it should be Haguenau) in Germany,

against the holy and undivided Trinity, containing many great blasphemies against it, which have occasioned a great scandal in the churches of the said Germany; which book he has freely confessed to have printed, notwithstanding the remonstrances made to him about his false opinions, by the learned evangelical doctors of the said Germany.'

' Item, The said book was condemned by the doctors of the churches of the said Germany, as being full of heresies; and the said Servetus ran away from the said Germany, on account of the said book.'

'Item, Notwithstanding this, the said Servetus has persisted in his errors, infecting many people with them.'

'Item, Not contented with this, the better to spread his venom and heresy, he has not long since caused another book to be printed privately at Vienne in Dauphine, full of the said heresies, and horrid and execrable blasphemies, against the holy Trinity, against the Son of God, and infant baptism, and against many other articles and fundamental points of the christian religion.'

Item, He has freely confessed, that in the said book he calls those who believe the Trinity, Trinitarians and Atheists.'

Item, He calls the Trinity a D, and a M-ter with th-ee H-ds.'

'Item, Contrary to the true foundation of the christian religion, and blaspheming horribly against the Son of God, he says that Christ is not the Son of God from all eternity, but only from the time of his incarnation.'

'Item. Whereas the scripture says, that Jesus Christ is the Son of David, according to the flesh, he wretchedly denies it, and says he was formed of the substance of God the Father, having received three elements from him, and one only from the virgin, whereby he wickedly pretends to destroy the true humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the sovereign comfort of poor mankind.'

'Item, That infant baptism is a diabolical invention, and a mere conjuration.'

Item, Many other things, and execrable blasphemies, with which the said book is all over stuffed, very scandalous, and against the honor and majesty of God, the Son of God, and the holy Spirit; which is a cruel and horrid murdering perdition, and destruction of many poor souls, that are spoiled by the said false and execrable doctrine; a dreadful thing to be mentioned,'