John McNeil, Ph.D.: "History and Character of Calvinism." Ch. 9--Calvin ...

9. Calvin Joins Farel in Geneva, 129-144. Calvin, the ex-pat and exile for his faith, heads to Ferrara, Italy (Savanarola’s birthplace), a potential home where other evangelicals were gathering. Friendships were formed in Ferrara, but the city’s rulers were sniffing out developments. (Italy, then, like now, was a tourist attraction with Renaissance flavors.) But Calvin left before the Inquisitors swept through Ferrara. Calvin returned via Paris to Noyon to settle the family estate. Then, due to the same religious issues, Calvin left for Strasbourg but due to armed forces facing off from Charles V and Francis 1, Calvin is detoured south. Farel, a fellow French Bible-man, is introduced—Farel is 20 years senior to Calvin. Farel has a ripened ministry and is associated with Swiss Reformers including Oecolampadius of Basel. Farel strong-armed Calvin to settle at Geneva. In a detour, Dr. McNeil spends much time discussing the magistracies of various Swiss cities: Bern, Basel, Geneva, and Lausanne with advanced theologies of reform with varied ministers, long before Calvin’s arrival in Geneva. Genevan Magistracies: 4 Syndics, the Little Council (16 members), the Council of 60, the Council of 200, and the General Council of all citizens ruled Geneva. This is important since most fail to appreciate that Calvin and Farel had to play to those magistrates; they were not the “Popes” and “Lords” of Geneva, as some historical, agenda-driven Gaslighters might allege. At Geneva in late 1536, Calvin lectured on St. Paul’s Epistles at St. Peter’s Cathedral. Articles, a Confession of Faith, and reforms of worship are implemented by 1537. By Jan 1538, however, the Council of 200 forbad the ministers from excluding any from communion. In a side note, Calvin had a very high view of the holiness and reverence during communion. This too, contrary to some historical Gaslighters impugning Calvin. The Magistrates would not tolerate the defiance of their ruling. But the ministers refused to yield to the Council, thus forcing Calvin and Farel from their pulpits—St. Peter’s and St. Gervais’s respectively. Calvin was off to Basel, not wanting further pastoral duties, but a scholarly corner with books. Enjoined by Bucer and Capito in Strasbourg, however, Calvin slipped out of Basel and went to Strasbourg. The comradery of the Reformers, their collegiality, and their cooperation were significant factors that influenced and affected larger groups, notably, Bucer in Cambridge under Cranmer’s sponsorship. UPSHOT: theological alliances and friendships are essential to larger efforts. 3000 would attend Bucer’s funeral in Cambridge years later.