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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] John Calvin Biography Calvin, John, (so called from Calvinus, the Latinized form of his family name. Cauvin or Chauvin), the second great reformer of the 16th century; born in Noyon, Picardy, July 10, 1509. [see Reformation] Calvin died May 27, 1564, in the 55th year of his age. He was of a weak constitution, and suffered from frequent sickness. In Strasburg he had married a widow, Idelette de Burie, in 1539; a son, the fruit of their union, died early. In 1549 he lost his wife, after which he never married again. He was temperate and austere, gloomy and inflexible. His disinterestedness was rare. He had a yearly stipend of 150 francs, 15 measures of corn, and 2 casks of wine; and never received larger one. The chief doctrines of Calvin's system are: Predestination, particular redemption, total depravity, irresistible grace, and the certain perseverance of the saints, denominated the five points. The followers of Calvin in Germany are called the Reformed. In France most Protestants are Calvinists. Calvinism is the professed belief of the greatest part of the Presbyterians; the Particular Baptists in England and India, and the Associated Baptists in America; the Independents of every class in England and Scotland, and the Congregationalists of New England. People’s Cyclopedia, Vol. I (New York: Syndicate Publishing, 1914) |