In the Power of the Spirit: Sermons on Matthew, Mark & Luke

John Calvin (1509-64), the French theologian and pastor of Geneva, was one of the principal 16th-century Reformers. Calvin was born on 10 July 1509, in Noyon, about sixty miles north-east of Paris. His father - Gérard Cauvin - held legal office in the service of the bishops of Noyon, and wanted his son to enter the church. He used his influence to obtain a chaplaincy at Noyon Cathedral when Calvin was 11, the income helping to fund his education. The young man was privately tutored, before being sent to Paris at the age of 14 to study theology at the University. He first attended the Collège de la Marche, then the Collège de Montaigu, where he received the equivalent of his Master of Arts in 1528 at the unusually young age of 17. Some of Calvin's instruction was given by the brilliant Latin scholar Mathurin Cordier, and he obtained a first-class education. Calvin was naturally timid, even fearful, which makes his courage all the more amazing. He was an affectionate and faithful friend, an intense man of deep feeling and penetrating thought. Worn out by his labours, he preached his last sermon in Geneva on 6 February 1564. On Easter Sunday he went to church for the last time, singing with the rest of the congregation at the conclusion, 'Lord, now let your servant depart in peace . . for my eyes have seen your salvation.' On 25 April he dictated his last will and testimony, and entered his rest and reward on 27 May, at the age of 54 years. His body was buried in a simple coffin at the common cemetery on Sunday 28 May, in accordance with his wishes. His grave was unmarked, and remains unknown.