The sorrow of Calvin, however, was deep. Feeling how great had been the goodness of God to him, he desired to be grateful for it. ‘Assuredly,’ he said, ‘no small honor has been conferred on us, in that a leader so mighty--Jesus Christ--has placed us in the ranks of his servants. We are therefore the most unthankful of men if we do not devote ourselves entirely to his service.’[651] He had devoted himself to that work, and the voice of conscience told him that he must give account of every soul lost. Successes had from time to time gladdened his soul. ‘Nevertheless,’ he said with sadness and alarm after his banishment, ‘seditions occurred in the town, one after another, which caused us grief and agitation of no light order. And however timid, weak, and spiritless I confess myself to be by nature, I had, nevertheless, from the first beginnings to bear up against those impetuous waves.[652] I cannot express what trouble and distress filled my heart night and day; and every time that I think of it I still inwardly tremble.’ It was not only the recollection of the past that was grievous, but still more the prospect of the future; of the evils which might fall on Geneva, and of the great injury which might be done to the Reformation if the torch, which ought to cast its rays all around on France, on Italy, and on other lands, should be miserably extinguished. This was burden enough to weigh down the strongest soul. On April 25th Courault was set at liberty, and on the following day, probably, the three pastors quitted Geneva. [Sidenote: A PREDICTION OF BONIVARD.] [Sidenote: JOY AND GRIEF.]