I was always exceedingly delighted with that saying of Chrysostom, "The foundation of our philosophy is humility"; and yet more pleased with that of Augustine: "As the orator, when asked, What is the first precept in eloquence? answered, Delivery: What is the second? Delivery: What is the third? Delivery: so if you ask me concerning the precepts of the Christian religion, I will answer, first, second, and third, Humility.

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.