On May 2 he wrote and informed Farel of his physical condition, this being the last letter he ever penned: Farewell, my best and truest friend! And since it is God's will that you will remain behind me in this world, live mindful of our friendship, which as it was useful to the church of God, so the fruit of it awaits us in heaven. Pray do not fatigue yourself on my account. It is with difficulty that I draw my breath , and I expect that every moment will be the last. It is enough that I live and die for Christ, who is the reward of his followers both in life and in death. Again, farewell with the brethren.
During the last week of his life Calvin called the Venerable Company of Pastors to his bedside and told the sorrowing pastors among other things: I have had many faults that you had to tolerate, and all that I accomplished was of little significance. The evil minded will take advantage of this confession, but I repeat that all that I have done is of little significance, and I am a poor creature. My faults have always displeased me and the root of the fear of the Lord has always been in my heart. As for my doctrine, I have taught faithfully, and God has given me grace to write which I have done faithfully as I could; and I have not corrupted (or mutilated) one single passage of scripture nor twisted it as far as I know; and when in a position to arrive at an artificial meaning through subtelty, I have put all that under my feet, and have always aimed at being simple. I have written nothing out of hatred against anyone, but have always set before me what I thought was for the glory of God.
Biographies of Calvin:
- Calvin: An Introduction to His Thought by T.H.L Parker
- Calvin: The Origins and Development of His Religious Thought by Francois Wendel
- The Young Calvin by Alexandre Ganoczy
- Calvin and Calvinism by B.B. Warfiled (Works Volume 5)
- John Calvin: His Life and Influence by Robert L Reymond
