We repeat, however, that it is not a history of Calvin, but of the Reformation in Europe in the time of that reformer which we desire to narrate. Other volumes are already far advanced, and we hope to publish two more in the ensuing year. But may we be permitted, in conclusion, to transcribe here a passage of Holy Scripture that has often occurred to our mind in executing a new work? It is this: _Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that._[2] EAUX VIVES, GENEVA. CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. BOOK I. GENEVA AND THE FIRST HUGUENOTS. CHAPTER I. THE REFORMATION AND MODERN LIBERTY. ANCIENT TIMES. Three Movements in Geneva--Importance of the Political Element--Causes of this Importance--Liberty in Protestant Nations--Influence of Calvin--Low Countries, Scotland, France, England, United States--Liberty and Licence--The Sixteenth Century, Servetus and Calvin--The Study of great things in small--Three Sources of Modern Liberty: Roman, Germanic, Christian--Three Strata of the Soil PAGE 1 CHAPTER II. FIRST USURPATIONS AND FIRST STRUGGLES. MIDDLE AGES. Three Powers opposed to the Genevan Liberties--The Counts of Geneva--The Bishop-princes--Danger of the Temporal Power of Bishops--The Dukes of Savoy--They covet Geneva--Peter of Savoy gets possession of the Castle--His Successes and Failures--Amadeus V. seizes the second Castle--Makes himself Vidame--Confirms the Liberties of Geneva--Amadeus VIII. begs Geneva of the Pope--The Pope deprives Geneva of the Election of its Bishop--A Duke and Pope makes himself Bishop--Struggle between a Son and a Mother--Irregularities of Philip Lackland--The Father runs away from the Son--Stratagem of the Mother to save her Treasures--The Son appears before the Father--Singular Visit--Fair of Geneva transferred to Lyons--A Reforming Bishop at Geneva--Savoy prepares to strike a final Blow--God breathes over Men--Renovating Principle in Geneva PAGE 14 CHAPTER III. A BISHOP SENT BY THE POPE TO ROB GENEVA OF ITS INDEPENDENCE. (1513.) Death of the Bishop, Agitation of the People--Talk of the Citizens--De Bonmont chosen Bishop by popular Acclamation--The Duke and the Bastard of Savoy--Agreement between these Princes--Union with Savoy desired by the Pope--The Bargain concluded at Rome--The Swiss are deceived--Murmurs of the Genevans--The Servile Party yields, the Free Men protest--Entrance of the Bishop-prince into Geneva--He takes the Oath in order to break it--Tampers with Berthelier and De Bonmont--Balls and Banquets to corrupt the Youth--Savoyards at Geneva--A Young Rake--Immorality PAGE 39 CHAPTER IV. OPPOSITION TO THE DESIGNS OF THE DUKE, THE POPE, AND THE BISHOP. (1513-1515.)