Were the judgments of mankind correct, custom would be regulated by the good. But it is often far otherwise in point of fact; for, whatever the many are seen to do, forthwith obtains the force of custom. But human affairs have scarcely ever been so happily constituted as that the better course pleased the greater number. Hence the private vices of the multitude have generally resulted in public error, or rather that common consent in vice which these worthy men would have to be law.

Although a wedding date was planned for March 1540 he remained reluctant and the wedding never took place. Like the other Reformers Calvin understood work as a means through which the believers expressed their gratitude to God for their redemption in Christ and as a service to their neighbors. And now O Lord what remains to a wretch like me but instead of defence earnestly to supplicate you not to judge that fearful abandonment of your Word according to its deserts from which in your wondrous goodness you have at last delivered me.

The city council resisted the implementation of Calvin's and Farel's ideas and both men were expelled. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism. Calvin's writing and preachings provided the seeds for the branch of theology that bears his name.