"That government is good which with all diligence seeks the common good, leading men to virtue and to good living, and above all to Divine worship.'—Savonarola.
WHILE the Holy Scripture declares and history proves that " not many noble " of earth are numbered in the high calling of Heaven (1 Cor. 1:2626For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (1 Corinthians 1:26)), yet there are some bright and blessed exceptions, and the present brief sketch shows one of these. The wave of spiritual blessing which passed over England about the middle of last century, was remarkable for the way in which it reached the upper classes, leading many of them to become faithful followers of Him who is " meek and lowly in heart " (Matt. 11:2929Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29)).
The name Guicciardini is familiar to the reader of Italian history, and no one has visited the fair city of Italian art without walking through the street and passing the palace which bear this famous Italian family name. Count Guicciardini was born in that palace on the 21st of July, 1808. He received the highest possible education, and had as one of his fellow-students the future Grand Duke of Tuscany.
When the young Count had reached his twenty-fifth year, that is in 1833, a temporal wave of progress caused Leopold II. to patronize a higher standard of education than had prevailed in Tuscany, and he called his friend Count Guicciardini to undertake the organization of a better educational system. It was no easy task. The young nobleman soon found that he would require to make a new class of teachers, and give special attention to the moral aspect of the art of teaching. Books on the subject were lacking, and Count Guicciardini was in quest of a suitable text book, when one day he met a well-known literary friend. He asked him whether he could recommend any good, moral book on the art of teaching. After some reflection his friend exclaimed, “take the Gospel."
The abrupt recommendation did not remain unheeded by the Count, who examined his valuable library, but could find no copy of the Bible in Italian. He had, however, the Latin Vulgate, and he began to read it as a fit source from which at least he might translate some helpful matter on the subject of his quest. With this object in view he read on day by day. “O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! " (Rom. 11:3333O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)).
While Count Guicciardini was thus perusing the Vulgate Bible, he began to discover several serious points of divergence between it and his Church, and his educational pursuits became lost in his more spiritual researches. It was in this frame of mind that one day he was about to go out for a walk. He was descending the magnificent staircase of his palace when he observed the caretaker at the bottom, reading a book which was hurriedly hidden on the approach of the nobleman. Filled with curiosity almost amounting to suspicion, the Count informed his servant that he had noticed his surprising action, mad asked for an explanation. Begging his master to keep the matter a secret, he confessed that the mysterious volume was the Italian Bible, and he handed it to the Count.
“But do you understand it?”
“Yes, some of it," replied the humble dependent.
“Well, take it and come upstairs with me."
Count Guicciardini and his caretaker were soon shut in a room in the palace, reading and meditating together upon God's Word, and this continued daily for some time. One day a warm discussion took place upon a certain passage, and it only ended by the Count saying to his servant, " Well, let us go out and get some fresh air; perhaps in a calmer mood we shall understand it better." Saying so, they left the palace together, and the familiar manner in which Count Guicciardini walked and talked with his servant was observed and caused much comment in the vicinity where the nobleman was so well known and so highly esteemed by all.
While the truth of the Gospel was maturing in his mind, one day Count Guicciardini was saying his creed, and came to the profession of his belief in “the communion of Saints." He suddenly stopped and asked himself the question: “Who are these Saints in whose communion I believe? They must be Saints on earth."
Before many days passed Count Guicciardini found his all in Christ, and his conversion and testimony showed this. He rejoiced to know that Christ was made unto him wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption; and now he gloried, no longer in his own righteousness, but in the Lord (1 Cor. 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)).
The Grand Duke was now completely under the power of the Jesuits, and he consented to a determined and definite effort proposed by his government for the suppression of any evangelical work or worship in Tuscany. In January, 1851, the services held in Italian in the Swiss Church were forbidden, and one hundred and twenty persons who had attended them received notice, under the penalty of imprisonment, to cease frequenting these or any other public or private evangelical meeting, while a special prohibition was forwarded to Count Guicciardini.
With all the nobility of his character the Count resented this tyrannical action of the Tuscan Government, and informed the authorities that if they insisted upon it, he would feel obliged to go into voluntary exile. This sacrifice he proved ready to make. On the 3rd of May, 1851, what he thought was the eve of his departure, he wrote to his few Christian brethren the following letter, which ranks as one of the noblest documents in the history of the Italian Gospel testimony. We have translated it from the original Italian, and present it in toto to our readers, assured that they will find it a frank and clear Gospel testimony that requires no comment: " Dear brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, " It is fully two years that I have been with some of you, searching and meditating upon the Holy Scriptures to know and obtain with prayer the faith which saves in Jesus Christ our Lord. Most of you have been added little by little to our meetings, invited by no one, but rather impelled by the Divine Will to seek the truth. So we did not refuse the call of God, and through the Divine mercy we beheld His work in the increase and prosperity of our gatherings, which have abounded in the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus.
" But the higher powers and governments will often oppose the Lord, who, although He is more powerful, sometimes permits His servants to pass through affliction, that their faith may be tried, His holy name confessed before men and glory brought to Him (Acts 4:1-31; 5:17-421And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. 5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed. 23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:1‑31)
17Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. 25Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 33When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 36For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:17‑42); 1 Peter 4:12-1612Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:12‑16)). We must not be surprised, therefore, if at present we are subject to persecution, and if we are prevented from preaching and teaching the Gospel, and if the Bible itself cannot be in the hands of all.
“Among a large number of our fellow-citizens you know that I, too, was placed under this kind of renewed inquisition, which intends to bind persons and consciences. But since before God and in my social position I do not believe it my duty to submit to it, I have resolved rather to abandon voluntarily this unhappy country, and so regain my liberty of action and fulfill my duties and the sentiments of my conscience. And knowing how deeply you have been interested in me, out of gratitude, and reciprocating your sympathy, it gives me pleasure to leave you this farewell letter. To you, who more than all others know the secrets of my heart, because of the common bonds in our Lord, I am pleased to say a word, and call you to witness the intolerance of Romanism and the despotism which have driven me to the hard path of abandoning my dear country, while I have and can have the conviction that I have wronged no one; that I have certainly taken nothing from anyone; I have respected the laws; I have given the example of obedience to the authorities. I have spoken of that Sacrifice whose blood was shed for the remission of sins. I have not been ashamed to act according to the will of God, even when the current of the times was carrying the majority out of the right way. I have never been ambitious of riches or honors. I have not offered you silver or gold, nor promises of any kind in order to attract you to the faith in Jesus Christ.
" So on leaving this earthly country, on abandoning every worldly interest, the sweet ties of family, the comforts of friendship and the holy conversations which I have had with you, I feel I am under the protection and power of my God. I enjoy the peace of conscience and the assurance of eternal life, not because I am worthy of it, but because Christ is the resurrection and the life (John 11:2525Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25)).
" For the comfort of you who remain, let me exhort you to rest assured that the Lord will be with you in the future, and will give you in the future, as He has given you in the past, the means of edifying yourselves and establishing yourselves in the holy truths; and on this you may depend, remembering that Christ Himself is the Good Shepherd who has given His life for His sheep, and that He will feed them continually with His divine word (Psa. 23; John 10:1-291Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 19There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 21Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? 22And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:1‑29)).
" In these trying times, however, in which the world is led astray by so many vain speculations, I counsel you that in matters of faith and conscience you will never put your trust in any individual, nor in any class of persons: the Lord Jesus is our only Mediator, our only High Priest, our only Master (1 Cor. 3:3-73For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:3‑7)).
" Do not place your trust in any particular church: seek rather to belong to the one true Church which is invisible, the assembly of the elect, the redeemed, the true and faithful believers in spirit and truth, knowing that Jesus alone is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption (1 Cor. 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)).
“Search the Scriptures, the Word of God, the whole Bible, and especially the New Testament, to be taught and corrected by them (2 Tim. 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16); John 5:3939Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39); 1 Thess. 5:2121Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21); 1 Peter 3:1515But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15); Rom. 15:44For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4); James 1:2525But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:25)).
Pray to the Lord. The prayer of faith can do all (Mark 11:2424Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24); Matt. 7:7-11; 17:207Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:7‑11)
20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (Matthew 17:20); 1 Tim. 2:11I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Timothy 2:1)). It is not necessary to go to church to pray or to worship the Lord. When you wish to pray, enter into your own room. Where two or three are gathered in the name of the Lord, there He is present and hears (Matt. 6:6,18,19,206But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)
18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:18‑20)). Remember the Lord's death in breaking the bread and drinking the wine (1 Cor. 11:2626For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:26)). In this way you will show your faith in His sacrifice offered once for all and which has no need to be renewed because it was perfect and complete (Heb. 9:24-28; 10:10, 1224For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:24‑28)
10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)
12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (Hebrews 10:12)). Go from house to house to break bread. So did all the faithful, all the disciples in apostolic times. To do this there is no need of adornment, ceremony nor special persons. It is well to know this in times of difficulty and persecution like these in which the true Church is not permitted to have an external organization. All the faithful are priests unto the Lord, all brethren being able to enter into the sanctuary, being all built together to be a holy priesthood, Jesus Christ having made us priests to God (Heb. 10:1919Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19); 1 Peter 2:99But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9); Rev. 1:66And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6)). The Lord will then manifest in the assembly of the faithful His diverse gifts and ministries; and the Church (not the pope nor any hierarchy) will acknowledge the gifts of the Spirit and the different ministries, trying the spirits by the Word, as is expressly ordered (1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4:11-1311And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11‑13)).
“And let no one be indifferent in seeking his own salvation. In the last day God will call the stewards to account. That does not mean the minister, the confessor, the bishop nor the Pope: everyone will be judged on his own account. Therefore let everyone examine himself whether he is really a member of Christ, washed in His precious blood. To be accursed and excommunicated by men is of little account: what matters is to be united and one with the Lord, sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb and found faithful. Yea, it is well that we should excommunicate ourselves and separate ourselves from the unbelieving, so as not to participate in their sin and not approve of it even by our presence in what they do (2 Cor. 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10); 2 Thess. 3:1414And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. (2 Thessalonians 3:14); 2 Cor. 6:14-1814Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14‑18); Eph. 5:1111And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:11)).
“Persevere in the faith to the end, assured that you will not be put to shame. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Be subject unto the higher powers, for it is necessary we should be so (Rom. 12:18-21; 13:118If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:18‑21)
1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1)); remembering, however, never to sacrifice the conscience enlightened by the Word of God, and that in many circumstances it will be right to obey God rather than men, as you already know (Acts 5:2929Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)).
“I leave this country commending you to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified. Pray for me. I am leaving for a distant land, looking to the Lord for guidance as to where I may settle. Perhaps we shall not see one another again in this world, but we shall nevertheless be united in the future life, when we shall be able to see our God face to face without any veil, when we shall be led by the Lamb to living fountains of water, when God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes Rev. 7:1717For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:17)). To Him be blessing, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. May the love of God, the Father, the grace of the Lord Jesus, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
“Your brother in the Lord,
“P. GUICCIARDINI.
Florence, 3rd May, 1851."
From this pathetic farewell letter it is most evident that the noble writer had not been converted to a human party, but to a Divine Person, Christ, and therefore he was inspired by no vindictive feeling against his enemies.
On the evening of the 7th of May, Count Guicciardini went to the house of Fedele Betti, a Christian brother, to say good-bye. He was accompanied by a young Italian whom he had met on the way. Other four friends had arrived shortly before. The little gathering was therefore casual and informal, and in fact the host was the only one of the seven who had known all the others. The subject, however, soon turned upon the Count's approaching and regretted departure. Signor Betti proposed that before separating they should read the fifteenth chapter of John. Each verse afforded a subject for a brief and comforting comment, and while the simple little meeting was thus peacefully proceeding, the bell rang and seven gendarmes entered and arrested the seven disciples of Christ! At half-past eleven o'clock that night they were taken to the historical Bargello prison and all put in the same damp and dirty cell, in which, however, they were able to enjoy one comfort, the continuation of their happy meditation on John 15, for Count Guicciardini had a small New Testament in his pocket.
The following day they were examined on the charge of having been found in a meeting of the protestant propaganda. From the books and papers sequestered it was clearly proved that the little meeting was absolutely casual and informal; but the Book was sufficient! Rome could prove her case from its very presence, and the seven disciples were condemned to six month's imprisonment in different parts of Tuscany.
Through noble English and Prussian diplomacy, after nine days' imprisonment in Florence, the seven Gospel witnesses, found guilty only of reading God's Word, were allowed temporal freedom, to be followed however, by the execution of the legal sentence.
The news of the Count's arrest had filled the palazzo Guicciardini with consternation, and his mother, a devout Roman Catholic, begged him to recant; to which he replied: “If the Church in which we were born had remained the chaste spouse of the Lord, it certainly would be anti-Christian to separate from it. But it is not the true Church of Christ which we are leaving: indeed, we desire that it should return to its primitive purity. We are leaving only the superstitions she added in the darkness of the times, and we are returning to the purest fount of the faith of the Gospel."
The Countess used her high influence to obtain the liberty of her son, and would have succeeded had he not requested that it should be conditional all my brethren with me, or none of us." He begged only to be permitted to leave Tuscany, and the sentence of imprisonment was so modified that Count Guicciardini and three of his fellow-prisoners were able to start for Genoa and Turin We follow him to England, where a warm welcome awaited him by the noblest Christians in the country. His temporary exile in England was a link in God's golden chain: here he found young Signor Rossetti, and led him to Christ. Returning later to his native country, on which the day of liberty was dawning, he spent his time and means in the spread of the Gospel. He visited his dear Italian brethren in their meetings and homes, and never allowed his social position to form a barrier in Christian fellowship. From the palace which bears his name he peacefully passed to be with the Lord for Whom he suffered the loss of all things, and counted them but as naught that he might gain Christ, and he found in Him, not having a righteousness of his own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.
Many in this proud and worldly age would vainly believe that the Gospel of Christ has no real attraction for the rich and noble of our times: formal, ritualistic religion may, but spiritual truth, they affirm, has not. But there are among the rich and noble of Britain those whose lives are a testimony against this false suggestion of the enemy, and we are glad to confirm their testimony by that of this Italian, true nobleman, rich, learned, esteemed and honored. " By faith " he made the choice of the faithful, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked unto the recompense of reward " (Heb. 2:25, 26).