disorder and irreligion had prevailed in Geneva.
An attempt was made by Cardinal Jacopo Sadoleto (1477-1547), bishop of
Carpentras, to take advantage of this so as to restore the papal
supremacy in that district; but this design Calvin, at the request of
the Bernese authorities, who had been consulted by those of Geneva,
completely frustrated, by writing such a reply to the letter which the
bishop had addressed to the Genevese, as constrained him to desist from
all further efforts. The letter had more than a local or temporary
reference. It was a popular yet thoroughgoing defence of the whole
Protestant position, perhaps the best apologia for the Reformation that
was ever written. He seems also to have kept up his connexion with
Geneva by addressing letters of counsel and comfort to the faithful
there who continued to regard him with affection. It was whilst he was
still at Strassburg that there appeared at Geneva a translation of the
Bible into French, bearing Calvin's name, but in reality only revised
and corrected by him from the version of Olivetan. Meanwhile the way was
opening for his return. Those who had driven him from the city gradually
lost power and office. Farel worked unceasingly for his recall. After
much hesitation, for Strassburg had strong claims, he yielded and
returned to Geneva, where he was received with the utmost enthusiasm
(September 13, 1541). He entered upon his work with a firm determination
to carry out those reforms which he had originally purposed, and to set
up in all its integrity that form of church polity which he had
carefully matured during his residence at Strassburg. He now became the
sole directive spirit in the church at Geneva. Farel was retained by the
Neuchatelois, and Viret, soon after Calvin's return, removed to
Lausanne. His duties were thus rendered exceedingly onerous, and his
labour became excessive. Besides preaching every day in each alternate
week, he taught theology three days in the week, attended weekly
meetings of his consistory, read the Scriptures once a week in the
congregation, carried on an extensive correspondence on a multiplicity
of subjects, prepared commentaries on the books of Scripture, and was
engaged repeatedly in controversy with the opponents of his opinions. "I
have not time," he writes to a friend, "to look out of my house at the
blessed sun, and if things continue thus I shall forget what sort of
appearance it has. When I have settled my usual bu