Phil D.
ὁ βαπτιστὴς
[April 27, 1564]
Honored Lords, - I thank you exceedingly for having conferred so many honors on one who plainly deserved nothing of the kind, and for having so often borne patiently with my very numerous infirmities… And though in the discharge of my duty I have had various battles to fight, and various insults to endure,.. I know and acknowledge that none of these things happened through your fault, and I earnestly entreat you that if, in anything, I have not done as I ought, you will attribute it to the want of ability rather than of will; for I can truly declare that I have sincerely studied the interest of your Republic. Though I have not discharged my duty fully, I have always, to the best of my ability, consulted for the public good; and did I not acknowledge that the Lord, on His part, hath sometimes made my labors profitable, I should lay myself open to a charge of faithlessness.
But this I beg of you, again and again, that you will be pleased to excuse me for having performed so little in public and in private, compared with what I ought to have done. I also certainly acknowledge, that on another account also I am highly indebted to you, by virtue of your having borne patiently with my vehemence, which was sometimes carried to excess. My sins, in this respect, I trust, have been pardoned by God also. But in regard to the doctrine which I have delivered in your hearing, I declare that the Word of God, entrusted to me, I have taught, not rashly nor uncertainly, but purely and sincerely; as well knowing that His wrath was otherwise impending on my head, as I am certain that my labors in teaching were not displeasing to Him. [...]
[John Dillenberger, John Calvin: Selections from His Writings, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1975), 38]