Again he was tried, the trial lasting two months, was found
guilty, and again sentenced to be burnt. Then Calvin en-
deavoured to have the sentence changed to imprisonment or
banishment, but unsuccessfully. The very next day Servetus
was bound to the stake ; his heretical works were thrown upon
the piles of wood, and he died in great agony : a blot upon the
times of the Eeformation, a reproach to its leaders, of whom
Calvin was the foremost.
From this time Calvin's influence was greater than ever.
It reached not only his immediate surroundings, but extended
to many parts of Europe. His name was powerful, and he
acted with great wisdom and discretion. It must be said of
him that in all he did, he was firmly convinced of the righteous-



SERVE TUS. 119

ness of his cause. He never sinned against his conscience;
never even parleyed with it, or spared himself. Never
strong, his untiring zeal, energy and activity were extra-
ordinary. If he made mistakes they were few and far between.
Sach incidents as those of Castellio and Servetus were rare.
