Themindsofthepeople，alreadybeginningtothrowofftheyokeofthepapacy，werealsobecomingimpatientundertherestraintsofcivilauthority。Munzer’srevolutionary192
teachings，claimingdivinesanction，ledthemtobreakawayfromallcontrolandgivethereintotheirprejudicesandpassions。Themostterriblescenesofseditionandstrifefollowed，andthefieldsofGermanyweredrenchedwithblood。
TheagonyofsoulwhichLutherhadsolongbeforeexperiencedatErfurtnowpresseduponhimwithredoubledpowerashesawtheresultsoffanaticismchargedupontheReformation。Thepapistprincesdeclared——andmanywerereadytocreditthestatement——thattherebellionwasthelegitimatefruitofLuther’sdoctrines。Althoughthischargewaswithouttheslightestfoundation，itcouldnotbutcausetheReformergreatdistress。Thatthecauseoftruthshouldbethusdisgracedbybeingrankedwiththebasestfanaticism，seemedmorethanhecouldendure。Ontheotherhand，theleadersintherevolthatedLutherbecausehehadnotonlyopposedtheirdoctrinesanddeniedtheirclaimstodivineinspiration，buthadpronouncedthemrebelsagainstthecivilauthority。Inretaliationtheydenouncedhimasabasepretender。Heseemedtohavebroughtuponhimselftheenmityofbothprincesandpeople。
TheRomanistsexulted，expectingtowitnessthespeedydownfalloftheReformation；andtheyblamedLuther，evenfortheerrorswhichhehadbeenmostearnestlyendeavoringtocorrect。Thefanaticalparty，byfalselyclaimingtohavebeentreatedwithgreatinjustice，succeededingainingthesympathiesofalargeclassofthepeople，and，asisoftenthecasewiththosewhotakethewrongside，theycametoberegardedasmartyrs。ThustheoneswhowereexertingeveryenergyinoppositiontotheReformationwerepitiedandlaudedasthevictimsofcrueltyandoppression。ThiswastheworkofSatan，promptedbythesamespiritofrebellionwhichwasfirstmanifestedinheaven。
Satanisconstantlyseekingtodeceivemenandleadthemtocallsinrighteousness，andrighteousnesssin。Howsuccessfulhasbeenhiswork！HowoftencensureandreproacharecastuponGod’sfaithfulservantsbecausethey193
willstandfearlesslyindefenseofthetruth！MenwhoarebutagentsofSatanarepraisedandflattered，andevenlookeduponasmartyrs，whilethosewhoshouldberespectedandsustainedfortheirfidelitytoGod，arelefttostandalone，undersuspicionanddistrust。
Counterfeitholiness，spurioussanctification，isstilldoingitsworkofdeception。UndervariousformsitexhibitsthesamespiritasinthedaysofLuther，divertingmindsfromtheScripturesandleadingmentofollowtheirownfeelingsandimpressionsratherthantoyieldobediencetothelawofGod。ThisisoneofSatan’smostsuccessfuldevicestocastreproachuponpurityandtruth。
FearlesslydidLutherdefendthegospelfromtheattackswhichcamefromeveryquarter。ThewordofGodproveditselfaweaponmightyineveryconflict。Withthatwordhewarredagainsttheusurpedauthorityofthepope，andtherationalisticphilosophyoftheschoolmen，whilehestoodfirmasarockagainstthefanaticismthatsoughttoallyitselfwiththeReformation。
EachoftheseopposingelementswasinitsownwaysettingasidetheHolyScripturesandexaltinghumanwisdomasthesourceofreligioustruthandknowledge。Rationalismidolizesreasonandmakesthisthecriterionforreligion。Romanism，claimingforhersovereignpontiffaninspirationdescendedinunbrokenlinefromtheapostles，andunchangeablethroughalltime，givesampleopportunityforeveryspeciesofextravaganceandcorruptiontobeconcealedunderthesanctityoftheapostoliccommission。
TheinspirationclaimedbyMunzerandhisassociatesproceededfromnohighersourcethanthevagariesoftheimagination，anditsinfluencewassubversiveofallauthority，humanordivine。TrueChristianityreceivesthewordofGodasthegreattreasurehouseofinspiredtruthandthetestofallinspiration。
UponhisreturnfromtheWartburg，LuthercompletedhistranslationoftheNewTestament，andthegospelwassoonaftergiventothepeopleofGermanyintheirown194
language。Thistranslationwasreceivedwithgreatjoybyallwholovedthetruth；butitwasscornfullyrejectedbythosewhochosehumantraditionsandthecommandmentsofmen。
ThepriestswerealarmedatthethoughtthatthecommonpeoplewouldnowbeabletodiscusswiththemthepreceptsofGod’sword，andthattheirownignorancewouldthusbeexposed。TheweaponsoftheircarnalreasoningwerepowerlessagainsttheswordoftheSpirit。RomesummonedallherauthoritytopreventthecirculationoftheScriptures；butdecrees，anathemas，andtortureswerealikeinvain。ThemoreshecondemnedandprohibitedtheBible，thegreaterwastheanxietyofthepeopletoknowwhatitreallytaught。AllwhocouldreadwereeagertostudythewordofGodforthemselves。Theycarrieditaboutwiththem，andreadandreread，andcouldnotbesatisfieduntiltheyhadcommittedlargeportionstomemory。SeeingthefavorwithwhichtheNewTestamentwasreceived，LutherimmediatelybeganthetranslationoftheOld，andpublisheditinpartsasfastascompleted。
Luther’swritingswerewelcomedalikeincityandinhamlet。\"WhatLutherandhisfriendscomposed，otherscirculated。Monks，convincedoftheunlawfulnessofmonasticobligations，desirousofexchangingalonglifeofslothfulnessforoneofactiveexertion，buttooignoranttoproclaimthewordofGod，traveledthroughtheprovinces，visitinghamletsandcottages，wheretheysoldthebooksofLutherandhisfriends。Germanysoonswarmedwiththeseboldcolporteurs。\"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。11。
Thesewritingswerestudiedwithdeepinterestbyrichandpoor，thelearnedandtheignorant。Atnighttheteachersofthevillageschoolsreadthemaloudtolittlegroupsgatheredatthefireside。Witheveryeffortsomesoulswouldbeconvictedofthetruthand，receivingthewordwithgladness，wouldintheirturntellthegoodnewstoothers。
195
ThewordsofInspirationwereverified:\"TheentranceofThywordsgivethlight；itgivethunderstandinguntothesimple。\"Psalm119:130。ThestudyoftheScriptureswasworkingamightychangeinthemindsandheartsofthepeople。Thepapalrulehadplaceduponitssubjectsanironyokewhichheldtheminignoranceanddegradation。Asuperstitiousobservanceofformshadbeenscrupulouslymaintained；butinalltheirservicetheheartandintellecthadhadlittlepart。ThepreachingofLuther，settingforththeplaintruthsofGod’sword，andthentheworditself，placedinthehandsofthecommonpeople，hadarousedtheirdormantpowers，notonlypurifyingandennoblingthespiritualnature，butimpartingnewstrengthandvigortotheintellect。
PersonsofallranksweretobeseenwiththeBibleintheirhands，defendingthedoctrinesoftheReformation。ThepapistswhohadleftthestudyoftheScripturestothepriestsandmonksnowcalleduponthemtocomeforwardandrefutethenewteachings。But，ignorantalikeoftheScripturesandofthepowerofGod，priestsandfriarsweretotallydefeatedbythosewhomtheyhaddenouncedasunlearnedandheretical。\"Unhappily，\"
saidaCatholicwriter，\"LutherhadpersuadedhisfollowerstoputnofaithinanyotheroraclethantheHolyScriptures。\"——D’Aubigne，b。9，ch。11。
Crowdswouldgathertohearthetruthadvocatedbymenoflittleeducation，andevendiscussedbythemwithlearnedandeloquenttheologians。TheshamefulignoranceofthesegreatmenwasmadeapparentastheirargumentsweremetbythesimpleteachingsofGod’sword。Laborers，soldiers，women，andevenchildren，werebetteracquaintedwiththeBibleteachingsthanwerethepriestsandlearneddoctors。
Thecontrastbetweenthedisciplesofthegospelandtheupholdersofpopishsuperstitionwasnolessmanifestintheranksofscholarsthanamongthecommonpeople。\"Opposedtotheoldchampionsofthehierarchy，whohadneglected196
thestudyoflanguagesandthecultivationofliterature，……weregenerous-mindedyouth，devotedtostudy，investigatingScripture，andfamiliarizingthemselveswiththemasterpiecesofantiquity。Possessinganactivemind，anelevatedsoul，andintrepidheart，theseyoungmensoonacquiredsuchknowledgethatforalongperiodnonecouldcompetewiththem……Accordingly，whentheseyouthfuldefendersoftheReformationmettheRomishdoctorsinanyassembly，theyattackedthemwithsucheaseandconfidencethattheseignorantmenhesitated，becameembarrassed，andfellintoacontemptmeritedintheeyesofall。\"——Ibid。，b。9，ch。11。
AstheRomishclergysawtheircongregationsdiminishing，theyinvokedtheaidofthemagistrates，andbyeverymeansintheirpowerendeavoredtobringbacktheirhearers。Butthepeoplehadfoundinthenewteachingsthatwhichsuppliedthewantsoftheirsouls，andtheyturnedawayfromthosewhohadsolongfedthemwiththeworthlesshusksofsuperstitiousritesandhumantraditions。
Whenpersecutionwaskindledagainsttheteachersofthetruth，theygaveheedtothewordsofChrist:\"Whentheypersecuteyouinthiscity，fleeyeintoanother。\"Matthew10:23。Thelightpenetratedeverywhere。Thefugitiveswouldfindsomewhereahospitabledooropenedtothem，andthereabiding，theywouldpreachChrist，sometimesinthechurch，or，ifdeniedthatprivilege，inprivatehousesorintheopenair。Wherevertheycouldobtainahearingwasaconsecratedtemple。Thetruth，proclaimedwithsuchenergyandassurance，spreadwithirresistiblepower。
Invainbothecclesiasticalandcivilauthoritieswereinvokedtocrushtheheresy。Invaintheyresortedtoimprisonment，torture，fire，andsword。
Thousandsofbelieverssealedtheirfaithwiththeirblood，andyettheworkwenton。Persecutionservedonlytoextendthetruth，andthefanaticismwhichSatanendeavoredtounitewithitresultedinmakingmoreclearthecontrastbetweentheworkofSatanandtheworkofGod。
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Chapter11
ProtestofthePrincesOneofthenoblesttestimonieseverutteredfortheReformationwastheProtestofferedbytheChristianprincesofGermanyattheDietofSpiresin1529。Thecourage，faith，andfirmnessofthosemenofGodgainedforsucceedingageslibertyofthoughtandofconscience。TheirProtestgavetothereformedchurchthenameofProtestant；itsprinciplesare\"theveryessenceofProtestantism。\"——D’Aubigne，b。13，ch。6。
AdarkandthreateningdayhadcomefortheReformation。NotwithstandingtheEdictofWorms，declaringLuthertobeanoutlawandforbiddingtheteachingorbeliefofhisdoctrines，religioustolerationhadthusfarprevailedintheempire。God’sprovidencehadheldinchecktheforcesthatopposedthetruth。CharlesVwasbentoncrushingtheReformation，butoftenasheraisedhishandtostrikehehadbeenforcedtoturnasidetheblow。AgainandagaintheimmediatedestructionofallwhodaredtoopposethemselvestoRomeappearedinevitable；butatthecriticalmomentthearmiesoftheTurkappearedontheeasternfrontier，orthekingofFrance，oreventhepopehimself，jealousoftheincreasinggreatnessoftheemperor，madewaruponhim；andthus，amidthestrifeandtumultofnations，theReformationhadbeenlefttostrengthenandextend。
Atlast，however，thepapalsovereignshadstifledtheirfeuds，thattheymightmakecommoncauseagainsttheReformers。TheDietofSpiresin1526
hadgiveneachstatefulllibertyinmattersofreligionuntilthemeetingofageneral198
council；butnosoonerhadthedangerspassedwhichsecuredthisconcession，thantheemperorsummonedasecondDiettoconveneatSpiresin1529forthepurposeofcrushingheresy。Theprincesweretobeinduced，bypeaceablemeansifpossible，tosideagainsttheReformation；butifthesefailed，Charleswaspreparedtoresorttothesword。
Thepapistswereexultant。TheyappearedatSpiresingreatnumbers，andopenlymanifestedtheirhostilitytowardtheReformersandallwhofavoredthem。SaidMelanchthon:\"Wearetheexecrationandthesweepingsoftheworld；butChristwilllookdownonHispoorpeople，andwillpreservethem。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。5。TheevangelicalprincesinattendanceattheDietwereforbiddeneventohavethegospelpreachedintheirdwellings。ButthepeopleofSpiresthirstedforthewordofGod，and，notwithstandingtheprohibition，thousandsflockedtotheservicesheldinthechapeloftheelectorofSaxony。
Thishastenedthecrisis。AnimperialmessageannouncedtotheDietthatastheresolutiongrantinglibertyofconsciencehadgivenrisetogreatdisorders，theemperorrequiredthatitbeannulled。ThisarbitraryactexcitedtheindignationandalarmoftheevangelicalChristians。Saidone:
\"ChristhasagainfallenintothehandsofCaiaphasandPilate。\"TheRomanistsbecamemoreviolent。Abigotedpapistdeclared:\"TheTurksarebetterthantheLutherans；fortheTurksobservefastdays，andtheLutheransviolatethem。IfwemustchoosebetweentheHolyScripturesofGodandtheolderrorsofthechurch，weshouldrejecttheformer。\"SaidMelanchthon:\"Everyday，infullassembly，Fabercastssomenewstoneatusgospelers。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。5。
Religioustolerationhadbeenlegallyestablished，andtheevangelicalstateswereresolvedtoopposetheinfringementoftheirrights。Luther，beingstillunderthebanimposedbytheEdictofWorms，wasnotpermittedtobepresentatSpires；buthisplacewassuppliedbyhiscolaborersandtheprinceswhomGodhadraiseduptodefendHiscauseinthisemergency。
ThenobleFrederickofSaxony，Luther’s199
formerprotector，hadbeenremovedbydeath；butDukeJohn，hisbrotherandsuccessor，hadjoyfullywelcomedtheReformation，andwhileafriendofpeace，hedisplayedgreatenergyandcourageinallmattersrelatingtotheinterestsofthefaith。
ThepriestsdemandedthatthestateswhichhadacceptedtheReformationsubmitimplicitlytoRomishjurisdiction。TheReformers，ontheotherhand，claimedthelibertywhichhadpreviouslybeengranted。TheycouldnotconsentthatRomeshouldagainbringunderhercontrolthosestatesthathadwithsogreatjoyreceivedthewordofGod。
AsacompromiseitwasfinallyproposedthatwheretheReformationhadnotbecomeestablished，theEdictofWormsshouldberigorouslyenforced；andthat\"inthosewherethepeoplehaddeviatedfromit，andwheretheycouldnotconformtoitwithoutdangerofrevolt，theyshouldatleasteffectnonewreform，theyshouldtouchuponnocontrovertedpoint，theyshouldnotopposethecelebrationofthemass，theyshouldpermitnoRomanCatholictoembraceLutheranism。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。5。ThismeasurepassedtheDiet，tothegreatsatisfactionofthepopishpriestsandprelates。
Ifthisedictwereenforced，\"theReformationcouldneitherbeextended……whereasyetitwasunknown，norbeestablishedonsolidfoundations……
whereitalreadyexisted。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。5。Libertyofspeechwouldbeprohibited。Noconversionswouldbeallowed。AndtotheserestrictionsandprohibitionsthefriendsoftheReformationwererequiredatoncetosubmit。
Thehopesoftheworldseemedabouttobeextinguished。\"There-establishmentoftheRomishhierarchy……wouldinfalliblybringbacktheancientabuses；\"andanoccasionwouldreadilybefoundfor\"completingthedestructionofaworkalreadysoviolentlyshaken\"byfanaticismanddissension——Ibid。，b。13，ch。5。
Astheevangelicalpartymetforconsultation，onelookedtoanotherinblankdismay。Fromonetoanotherpassedtheinquiry:\"Whatistobedone？\"
Mightyissuesfortheworldwereatstake。\"ShallthechiefsoftheReformation200
submit，andaccepttheedict？HoweasilymighttheReformersatthiscrisis，whichwastrulyatremendousone，havearguedthemselvesintoawrongcourse！Howmanyplausiblepretextsandfairreasonsmighttheyhavefoundforsubmission！TheLutheranprinceswereguaranteedthefreeexerciseoftheirreligion。Thesameboonwasextendedtoallthoseoftheirsubjectswho，priortothepassingofthemeasure，hadembracedthereformedviews。
Oughtnotthistocontentthem？Howmanyperilswouldsubmissionavoid！Onwhatunknownhazardsandconflictswouldoppositionlaunchthem！Whoknowswhatopportunitiesthefuturemaybring？Letusembracepeace；letusseizetheolivebranchRomeholdsout，andclosethewoundsofGermany。WithargumentslikethesemighttheReformershavejustifiedtheiradoptionofacoursewhichwouldhaveassuredlyissuedinnolongtimeintheoverthrowoftheircause。
\"Happilytheylookedattheprincipleonwhichthisarrangementwasbased，andtheyactedinfaith。Whatwasthatprinciple？ItwastherightofRometocoerceconscienceandforbidfreeinquiry。ButwerenotthemselvesandtheirProtestantsubjectstoenjoyreligiousfreedom？Yes，asafavorspeciallystipulatedforinthearrangement，butnotasaright。Astoalloutsidethatarrangement，thegreatprincipleofauthoritywastorule；
consciencewasoutofcourt；Romewasinfalliblejudge，andmustbeobeyed。
TheacceptanceoftheproposedarrangementwouldhavebeenavirtualadmissionthatreligiouslibertyoughttobeconfinedtoreformedSaxony；
andastoalltherestofChristendom，freeinquiryandtheprofessionofthereformedfaithwerecrimes，andmustbevisitedwiththedungeonandthestake。Couldtheyconsenttolocalizereligiousliberty？tohaveitproclaimedthattheReformationhadmadeitslastconvert？hadsubjugateditslastacre？andthatwhereverRomeboreswayatthishour，thereherdominionwastobeperpetuated？CouldtheReformershavepleadedthattheywereinnocentofthebloodofthosehundredsandthousandswho，inpursuanceofthisarrangement，wouldhavetoyielduptheir201
livesinpopishlands？Thiswouldhavebeentobetray，atthatsupremehour，thecauseofthegospelandthelibertiesofChristendom。\"——Wylie，b。9，ch。
15。Ratherwouldthey\"sacrificeeverything，eventheirstates，theircrowns，andtheirlives。\"——D’Aubigne，b。13，ch。5。
\"Letusrejectthisdecree，\"saidtheprinces。\"Inmattersofconsciencethemajorityhasnopower。\"Thedeputiesdeclared:\"Itistothedecreeof1526
thatweareindebtedforthepeacethattheempireenjoys:itsabolitionwouldfillGermanywithtroublesanddivisions。TheDietisincompetenttodomorethanpreservereligiouslibertyuntilthecouncilmeets。\"——Ibid。，b。
13，ch。5。Toprotectlibertyofconscienceisthedutyofthestate，andthisisthelimitofitsauthorityinmattersofreligion。EveryseculargovernmentthatattemptstoregulateorenforcereligiousobservancesbycivilauthorityissacrificingtheveryprincipleforwhichtheevangelicalChristiansonoblystruggled。
Thepapistsdeterminedtoputdownwhattheytermed\"daringobstinacy。\"TheybeganbyendeavoringtocausedivisionsamongthesupportersoftheReformationandtointimidateallwhohadnotopenlydeclaredinitsfavor。
TherepresentativesofthefreecitieswereatlastsummonedbeforetheDietandrequiredtodeclarewhethertheywouldaccedetothetermsoftheproposition。Theypleadedfordelay，butinvain。Whenbroughttothetest，nearlyonehalftheirnumbersidedwiththeReformers。Thosewhothusrefusedtosacrificelibertyofconscienceandtherightofindividualjudgmentwellknewthattheirpositionmarkedthemforfuturecriticism，condemnation，andpersecution。Saidoneofthedelegates:\"WemusteitherdenythewordofGod，or——beburnt。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。5。
KingFerdinand，theemperor’srepresentativeattheDiet，sawthatthedecreewouldcauseseriousdivisionsunlesstheprincescouldbeinducedtoacceptandsustainit。Hethereforetriedtheartofpersuasion，wellknowingthattoemployforcewithsuchmenwouldonlyrenderthemthemoredetermined。He\"beggedtheprincestoacceptthedecree，202
assuringthemthattheemperorwouldbeexceedinglypleasedwiththem。\"Butthesefaithfulmenacknowledgedanauthorityabovethatofearthlyrulers，andtheyansweredcalmly:\"WewillobeytheemperorineverythingthatmaycontributetomaintainpeaceandthehonorofGod。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。5。
InthepresenceoftheDietthekingatlastannouncedtotheelectorandhisfriendsthattheedict\"wasabouttobedrawnupintheformofanimperialdecree，\"andthat\"theironlyremainingcoursewastosubmittothemajority。\"Havingthusspoken，hewithdrewfromtheassembly，givingtheReformersnoopportunityfordeliberationorreply。\"Tonopurposetheysentadeputationentreatingthekingtoreturn。\"Totheirremonstrancesheansweredonly:\"Itisasettledaffair；submissionisallthatremains。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。5。
TheimperialpartywereconvincedthattheChristianprinceswouldadheretotheHolyScripturesassuperiortohumandoctrinesandrequirements；andtheyknewthatwhereverthisprinciplewasaccepted，thepapacywouldeventuallybeoverthrown。But，likethousandssincetheirtime，lookingonly\"atthethingswhichareseen，\"theyflatteredthemselvesthatthecauseoftheemperorandthepopewasstrong，andthatoftheReformersweak。HadtheReformersdependeduponhumanaidalone，theywouldhavebeenaspowerlessasthepapistssupposed。Butthoughweakinnumbers，andatvariancewithRome，theyhadtheirstrength。Theyappealed\"fromthereportoftheDiettothewordofGod，andfromtheemperorCharlestoJesusChrist，theKingofkingsandLordoflords。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。6。
AsFerdinandhadrefusedtoregardtheirconscientiousconvictions，theprincesdecidednottoheedhisabsence，buttobringtheirProtestbeforethenationalcouncilwithoutdelay。AsolemndeclarationwasthereforedrawnupandpresentedtotheDiet:
\"Weprotestbythesepresents，beforeGod，ouronlyCreator，Preserver，Redeemer，andSaviour，andwhowillonedaybeourJudge，aswellasbeforeallmenandallcreatures，thatwe，forusandforourpeople，neitherconsent203
noradhereinanymannerwhatsoevertotheproposeddecree，inanythingthatiscontrarytoGod，toHisholyword，toourrightconscience，tothesalvationofoursouls。\"
\"What！weratifythisedict！WeassertthatwhenAlmightyGodcallsamantoHisknowledge，thismanneverthelesscannotreceivetheknowledgeofGod！\"
\"ThereisnosuredoctrinebutsuchasisconformabletothewordofGod……TheLordforbidstheteachingofanyotherdoctrine……TheHolyScripturesoughttobeexplainedbyotheranclearertexts；……thisHolyBookis，inallthingsnecessaryfortheChristian，easyofunderstanding，andcalculatedtoscatterthedarkness。Weareresolved，withthegraceofGod，tomaintainthepureandexclusivepreachingofHisonlyword，suchasitiscontainedinthebiblicalbooksoftheOldandNewTestaments，withoutaddinganythingtheretothatmaybecontrarytoit。Thiswordistheonlytruth；itisthesureruleofalldoctrineandofalllife，andcanneverfailordeceiveus。Hewhobuildsonthisfoundationshallstandagainstallthepowersofhell，whileallthehumanvanitiesthataresetupagainstitshallfallbeforethefaceofGod。\"
\"Forthisreasonwerejecttheyokethatisimposedonus。\"\"AtthesametimeweareinexpectationthathisimperialmajestywillbehavetowarduslikeaChristianprincewholovesGodaboveallthings；andwedeclareourselvesreadytopayuntohim，aswellasuntoyou，graciouslords，alltheaffectionandobediencethatareourjustandlegitimateduty。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。6。
AdeepimpressionwasmadeupontheDiet。Themajoritywerefilledwithamazementandalarmattheboldnessoftheprotesters。Thefutureappearedtothemstormyanduncertain。Dissension，strife，andbloodshedseemedinevitable。ButtheReformers，assuredofthejusticeoftheircause，andrelyinguponthearmofOmnipotence，were\"fullofcourageandfirmness。\"
\"TheprinciplescontainedinthiscelebratedProtest……constitutetheveryessenceofProtestantism。NowthisProtestopposestwoabusesofmaninmattersoffaith:thefirstis204
theintrusionofthecivilmagistrate，andthesecondthearbitraryauthorityofthechurch。Insteadoftheseabuses，Protestantismsetsthepowerofconscienceabovethemagistrate，andtheauthorityofthewordofGodabovethevisiblechurch。Inthefirstplace，itrejectsthecivilpowerindivinethings，andsayswiththeprophetsandapostles，’WemustobeyGodratherthanman。’InpresenceofthecrownofCharlestheFifth，itupliftsthecrownofJesusChrist。Butitgoesfarther:itlaysdowntheprinciplethatallhumanteachingshouldbesubordinatetotheoraclesofGod。\"——Ibid。，b。
13，ch。6。Theprotestershadmoreoveraffirmedtheirrighttoutterfreelytheirconvictionsoftruth。Theywouldnotonlybelieveandobey，butteachwhatthewordofGodpresents，andtheydeniedtherightofpriestormagistratetointerfere。TheProtestofSpireswasasolemnwitnessagainstreligiousintolerance，andanassertionoftherightofallmentoworshipGodaccordingtothedictatesoftheirownconsciences。
Thedeclarationhadbeenmade。Itwaswritteninthememoryofthousandsandregisteredinthebooksofheaven，wherenoeffortofmancoulderaseit。
AllevangelicalGermanyadoptedtheProtestastheexpressionofitsfaith。
Everywheremenbeheldinthisdeclarationthepromiseofanewandbetterera。SaidoneoftheprincestotheProtestantsofSpires:\"MaytheAlmighty，whohasgivenyougracetoconfessenergetically，freely，andfearlessly，preserveyouinthatChristianfirmnessuntilthedayofeternity。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。6。
HadtheReformation，afterattainingadegreeofsuccess，consentedtotemporizetosecurefavorwiththeworld，itwouldhavebeenuntruetoGodandtoitself，andwouldthushaveensureditsowndestruction。TheexperienceofthesenobleReformerscontainsalessonforallsucceedingages。Satan’smannerofworkingagainstGodandHiswordhasnotchanged；heisstillasmuchopposedtotheScripturesbeingmadetheguideoflifeasinthesixteenthcentury。Inourtimethereisawidedeparturefromtheirdoctrinesandprecepts，andthereisneedofareturntothegreatProtestant205
principle——theBible，andtheBibleonly，astheruleoffaithandduty。
Satanisstillworkingthrougheverymeanswhichhecancontroltodestroyreligiousliberty。TheantichristianpowerwhichtheprotestersofSpiresrejectedisnowwithrenewedvigorseekingtore-establishitslostsupremacy。ThesameunswervingadherencetothewordofGodmanifestedatthatcrisisoftheReformationistheonlyhopeofreformtoday。
ThereappearedtokensofdangertotheProtestants；thereweretokens，also，thatthedivinehandwasstretchedouttoprotectthefaithful。Itwasaboutthistimethat\"MelanchthonhastilyconductedthroughthestreetsofSpirestowardtheRhinehisfriendSimonGrynaeus，pressinghimtocrosstheriver。
Thelatterwasastonishedatsuchprecipitation。’Anoldmanofgraveandsolemnair，butwhoisunknowntome，’saidMelanchthon，’appearedbeforemeandsaid，InaminuteofficersofjusticewillbesentbyFerdinandtoarrestGrynaeus。’\"
Duringtheday，GrynaeushadbeenscandalizedatasermonbyFaber，aleadingpapaldoctor；andattheclose，remonstratedwithhimfordefending\"certaindetestableerrors。\"\"Faberdissembledhisanger，butimmediatelyafterrepairedtotheking，fromwhomhehadobtainedanorderagainsttheimportunateprofessorofHeidelberg。MelanchthondoubtednotthatGodhadsavedhisfriendbysendingoneofHisholyangelstoforewarnhim。
\"MotionlessonthebanksoftheRhine，hewaiteduntilthewatersofthatstreamhadrescuedGrynaeusfromhispersecutors。’Atlast，’criedMelanchthon，ashesawhimontheoppositeside，’atlastheistornfromthecrueljawsofthosewhothirstforinnocentblood。’Whenhereturnedtohishouse，MelanchthonwasinformedthatofficersinsearchofGrynaeushadransackeditfromtoptobottom。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。6。
TheReformationwastobebroughtintogreaterprominencebeforethemightyonesoftheearth。TheevangelicalprinceshadbeendeniedahearingbyKingFerdinand；buttheyweretobegrantedanopportunitytopresenttheircause206
inthepresenceoftheemperorandtheassembleddignitariesofchurchandstate。Toquietthedissensionswhichdisturbedtheempire，CharlesV，intheyearfollowingtheProtestofSpires，convokedadietatAugsburg，overwhichheannouncedhisintentiontopresideinperson。ThithertheProtestantleadersweresummoned。
GreatdangersthreatenedtheReformation；butitsadvocatesstilltrustedtheircausewithGod，andpledgedthemselvestobefirmtothegospel。TheelectorofSaxonywasurgedbyhiscouncilorsnottoappearattheDiet。Theemperor，theysaid，requiredtheattendanceoftheprincesinordertodrawthemintoasnare。\"Isitnotriskingeverythingtogoandshutoneselfupwithinthewallsofacitywithapowerfulenemy？\"Butothersnoblydeclared，\"Lettheprincesonlycomportthemselveswithcourage，andGod’scauseissaved。\"\"Godisfaithful；Hewillnotabandonus，\"saidLuther——Ibid。，b。14，ch。2。Theelectorsetout，withhisretinue，forAugsburg。Allwereacquaintedwiththedangersthatmenacedhim，andmanywentforwardwithgloomycountenanceandtroubledheart。ButLuther，whoaccompaniedthemasfarasCoburg，revivedtheirsinkingfaithbysingingthehymn，writtenonthatjourney，\"AstrongtowerisourGod。\"Manyananxiousforebodingwasbanished，manyaheavyheartlightened，atthesoundoftheinspiringstrains。
Thereformedprinceshaddetermineduponhavingastatementoftheirviewsinsystematicform，withtheevidencefromtheScriptures，topresentbeforetheDiet；andthetaskofitspreparationwascommittedtoLuther，Melanchthon，andtheirassociates。ThisConfessionwasacceptedbytheProtestantsasanexpositionoftheirfaith，andtheyassembledtoaffixtheirnamestotheimportantdocument。Itwasasolemnandtryingtime。TheReformersweresolicitousthattheircauseshouldnotbeconfoundedwithpoliticalquestions；theyfeltthattheReformationshouldexercisenootherinfluencethanthatwhichproceedsfromthewordofGod。
207
AstheChristianprincesadvancedtosigntheConfession，Melanchthoninterposed，saying:\"Itisforthetheologiansandministerstoproposethesethings；letusreserveforothermatterstheauthorityofthemightyonesoftheearth。\"\"Godforbid，\"repliedJohnofSaxony，\"thatyoushouldexcludeme。Iamresolvedtodowhatisright，withouttroublingmyselfaboutmycrown。IdesiretoconfesstheLord。MyelectoralhatandmyerminearenotsoprecioustomeasthecrossofJesusChrist。\"Havingthusspoken，hewrotedownhisname。Saidanotheroftheprincesashetookthepen:\"IfthehonorofmyLordJesusChristrequiresit，Iamready……toleavemygoodsandlifebehind。\"\"Iwouldratherrenouncemysubjectsandmystates，ratherquitthecountryofmyfathersstaffinhand，\"hecontinued，\"thanreceiveanyotherdoctrinethanthatwhichiscontainedinthisConfession。\"——
Ibid。，b。14，ch。6。SuchwasthefaithanddaringofthosemenofGod。
Theappointedtimecametoappearbeforetheemperor。CharlesV，seateduponhisthrone，surroundedbytheelectorsandtheprinces，gaveaudiencetotheProtestantReformers。Theconfessionoftheirfaithwasread。Inthataugustassemblythetruthsofthegospelwereclearlysetforth，andtheerrorsofthepapalchurchwerepointedout。Wellhasthatdaybeenpronounced\"thegreatestdayoftheReformation，andoneofthemostgloriousinthehistoryofChristianityandofmankind。\"——Ibid。，b。14，ch。7。
ButafewyearshadpassedsincethemonkofWittenbergstoodaloneatWormsbeforethenationalcouncil。Nowinhissteadwerethenoblestandmostpowerfulprincesoftheempire。LutherhadbeenforbiddentoappearatAugsburg，buthehadbeenpresentbyhiswordsandprayers。\"Iamoverjoyed，\"hewrote，\"thatIhaveliveduntilthishour，inwhichChristhasbeenpubliclyexaltedbysuchillustriousconfessors，andinsogloriousanassembly。\"——Ibid。，b。14，ch。
7。ThuswasfulfilledwhattheScripturesays:\"IwillspeakofThytestimonies……beforekings。\"Psalm119:46。
208
InthedaysofPaulthegospelforwhichhewasimprisonedwasthusbroughtbeforetheprincesandnoblesoftheimperialcity。Soonthisoccasion，thatwhichtheemperorhadforbiddentobepreachedfromthepulpitwasproclaimedfromthepalace；whatmanyhadregardedasunfitevenforservantstolistentowasheardwithwonderbythemastersandlordsoftheempire。Kingsandgreatmenweretheauditory，crownedprinceswerethepreachers，andthesermonwastheroyaltruthofGod。\"Sincetheapostolicage，\"saysawriter，\"therehasneverbeenagreaterworkoramoremagnificentconfession。\"——D’Aubigne，b。14，ch。7。
\"AllthattheLutheranshavesaidistrue；wecannotdenyit，\"declaredapapistbishop。\"CanyourefutebysoundreasonstheConfessionmadebytheelectorandhisallies？\"askedanotherofDr。Eck。\"Withthewritingsoftheapostlesandprophets——no！\"wasthereply；\"butwiththoseoftheFathersandofthecouncils——yes！\"\"Iunderstand，\"respondedthequestioner。\"TheLutherans，accordingtoyou，areinScripture，andweareoutside。\"——Ibid。，b。14，ch。8。
SomeoftheprincesofGermanywerewontothereformedfaith。TheemperorhimselfdeclaredthattheProtestantarticleswerebutthetruth。TheConfessionwastranslatedintomanylanguagesandcirculatedthroughallEurope，andithasbeenacceptedbymillionsinsucceedinggenerationsastheexpressionoftheirfaith。
God’sfaithfulservantswerenottoilingalone。Whileprincipalitiesandpowersandwickedspiritsinhighplaceswereleaguedagainstthem，theLorddidnotforsakeHispeople。Couldtheireyeshavebeenopened，theywouldhaveseenasmarkedevidenceofdivinepresenceandaidaswasgrantedtoaprophetofold。WhenElisha’sservantpointedhismastertothehostilearmysurroundingthemandcuttingoffallopportunityforescape，theprophetprayed:\"Lord，IprayThee，openhiseyes，thathemaysee。\"2Kings6:17。
And，lo，themountainwasfilledwithchariotsandhorsesoffire，thearmyofheavenstationedtoprotectthemanofGod。ThusdidangelsguardtheworkersinthecauseoftheReformation。
209
OneoftheprinciplesmostfirmlymaintainedbyLutherwasthatthereshouldbenoresorttosecularpowerinsupportoftheReformation，andnoappealtoarmsforitsdefense。Herejoicedthatthegospelwasconfessedbyprincesoftheempire；butwhentheyproposedtouniteinadefensiveleague，hedeclaredthat\"thedoctrineofthegospelshouldbedefendedbyGodalone……Thelessmanmeddledinthework，themorestrikingwouldbeGod’sinterventioninitsbehalf。Allthepoliticprecautionssuggestedwere，inhisview，attributabletounworthyfearandsinfulmistrust。\"——
D’Aubigne，Londoned。，b。10，ch。14。
Whenpowerfulfoeswereunitingtooverthrowthereformedfaith，andthousandsofswordsseemedabouttobeunsheathedagainstit，Lutherwrote:
\"Satanisputtingforthhisfury；ungodlypontiffsareconspiring；andwearethreatenedwithwar。ExhortthepeopletocontendvaliantlybeforethethroneoftheLord，byfaithandprayer，sothatourenemies，vanquishedbytheSpiritofGod，maybeconstrainedtopeace。Ourchiefwant，ourchieflabor，isprayer；letthepeopleknowthattheyarenowexposedtotheedgeoftheswordandtotherageofSatan，andletthempray。\"——D’Aubigne，b。
10，ch。14。
Again，atalaterdate，referringtotheleaguecontemplatedbythereformedprinces，Lutherdeclaredthattheonlyweaponemployedinthiswarfareshouldbe\"theswordoftheSpirit。\"HewrotetotheelectorofSaxony:\"Wecannotonourconscienceapprovetheproposedalliance。Wewouldratherdietentimesthanseeourgospelcauseonedropofbloodtobeshed。Ourpartistobelikelambsoftheslaughter。ThecrossofChristmustbeborne。Letyourhighnessbewithoutfear。Weshalldomorebyourprayersthanallourenemiesbytheirboastings。Onlyletnotyourhandsbestainedwiththebloodofyourbrethren。Iftheemperorrequiresustobegivenuptohistribunals，wearereadytoappear。Youcannotdefendourfaith:eachoneshouldbelieveathisownriskandperil。\"——Ibid。，b。14，ch。1。
210
FromthesecretplaceofprayercamethepowerthatshooktheworldintheGreatReformation。There，withholycalmness，theservantsoftheLordsettheirfeetupontherockofHispromises。DuringthestruggleatAugsburg，Luther\"didnotpassadaywithoutdevotingthreehoursatleasttoprayer，andtheywerehoursselectedfromthosethemostfavorabletostudy。\"IntheprivacyofhischamberhewasheardtopourouthissoulbeforeGodinwords\"fullofadoration，fear，andhope，aswhenonespeakstoafriend。\"\"IknowthatThouartourFatherandourGod，\"hesaid，\"andthatThouwiltscatterthepersecutorsofThychildren；forThouartThyselfendangeredwithus。
AllthismatterisThine，anditisonlybyThyconstraintthatwehaveputourhandstoit。Defendus，then，OFather！\"——Ibid。，b。14，ch。6。
ToMelanchthon，whowascrushedundertheburdenofanxietyandfear，hewrote:\"GraceandpeaceinChrist——inChrist，Isay，andnotintheworld。
Amen。Ihatewithexceedinghatredthoseextremecareswhichconsumeyou。Ifthecauseisunjust，abandonit；ifthecauseisjust，whyshouldwebeliethepromisesofHimwhocommandsustosleepwithoutfear？……Christwillnotbewantingtotheworkofjusticeandtruth。Helives，Hereigns；whatfear，then，canwehave？\"——Ibid。，b。14，ch。6。
GoddidlistentothecriesofHisservants。Hegavetoprincesandministersgraceandcouragetomaintainthetruthagainsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld。SaiththeLord:\"Behold，IlayinZionachiefcornerstone，elect，precious:andhethatbelievethonHimshallnotbeconfounded。\"1Peter2:6。TheProtestantReformershadbuiltonChrist，andthegatesofhellcouldnotprevailagainstthem。
(211)
Chapter12
TheFrenchReformationTheProtestofSpiresandtheConfessionatAugsburg，whichmarkedthetriumphoftheReformationinGermany，werefollowedbyyearsofconflictanddarkness。Weakenedbydivisionsamongitssupporters，andassailedbypowerfulfoes，Protestantismseemeddestinedtobeutterlydestroyed。
Thousandssealedtheirtestimonywiththeirblood。Civilwarbrokeout；theProtestantcausewasbetrayedbyoneofitsleadingadherents；thenoblestofthereformedprincesfellintothehandsoftheemperorandweredraggedascaptivesfromtowntotown。Butinthemomentofhisapparenttriumph，theemperorwassmittenwithdefeat。Hesawthepreywrestedfromhisgrasp，andhewasforcedatlasttogranttolerationtothedoctrineswhichithadbeentheambitionofhislifetodestroy。Hehadstakedhiskingdom，histreasures，andlifeitselfuponthecrushingoutoftheheresy。Nowhesawhisarmieswastedbybattle，histreasuriesdrained，hismanykingdomsthreatenedbyrevolt，whileeverywherethefaithwhichhehadvainlyendeavoredtosuppress，wasextending。CharlesVhadbeenbattlingagainstomnipotentpower。Godhadsaid，\"Lettherebelight，\"buttheemperorhadsoughttokeepthedarknessunbroken。Hispurposeshadfailed；andinprematureoldage，wornoutwiththelongstruggle，heabdicatedthethroneandburiedhimselfinacloister。
InSwitzerland，asinGermany，therecamedarkdaysfortheReformation。
Whilemanycantonsacceptedthereformed212
faith，othersclungwithblindpersistencetothecreedofRome。Theirpersecutionofthosewhodesiredtoreceivethetruthfinallygaverisetocivilwar。ZwingliandmanywhohadunitedwithhiminreformfellonthebloodyfieldofCappel。Oecolampadius，overcomebytheseterribledisasters，soonafterdied。Romewastriumphant，andinmanyplacesseemedabouttorecoverallthatshehadlost。ButHewhosecounselsarefromeverlastinghadnotforsakenHiscauseorHispeople。Hishandwouldbringdeliveranceforthem。InotherlandsHehadraiseduplaborerstocarryforwardthereform。
InFrance，beforethenameofLutherhadbeenheardasaReformer，thedayhadalreadybeguntobreak。OneofthefirsttocatchthelightwastheagedLefevre，amanofextensivelearning，aprofessorintheUniversityofParis，andasincereandzealouspapist。InhisresearchesintoancientliteraturehisattentionwasdirectedtotheBible，andheintroduceditsstudyamonghisstudents。
Lefevrewasanenthusiasticadorerofthesaints，andhehadundertakentoprepareahistoryofthesaintsandmartyrsasgiveninthelegendsofthechurch。Thiswasaworkwhichinvolvedgreatlabor；buthehadalreadymadeconsiderableprogressinit，when，thinkingthathemightobtainusefulassistancefromtheBible，hebeganitsstudywiththisobject。Hereindeedhefoundsaintsbroughttoview，butnotsuchasfiguredintheRomancalendar。Afloodofdivinelightbrokeinuponhismind。Inamazementanddisgustheturnedawayfromhisself-appointedtaskanddevotedhimselftothewordofGod。Theprecioustruthswhichhetherediscoveredhesoonbegantoteach。
In1512，beforeeitherLutherorZwinglihadbeguntheworkofreform，Lefevrewrote:\"ItisGodwhogivesus，byfaith，thatrighteousnesswhichbygracealonejustifiestoeternallife。\"——Wylie，b。13，ch。1。Dwellinguponthemysteriesofredemption，heexclaimed:\"Oh，theunspeakablegreatnessofthatexchange，——theSinlessOneiscondemned，213
andhewhoisguiltygoesfree；theBlessingbearsthecurse，andthecursedisbroughtintoblessing；theLifedies，andthedeadlive；theGloryiswhelmedindarkness，andhewhoknewnothingbutconfusionoffaceisclothedwithglory。\"——D’Aubigne，Londoned。，b。12，ch。2。
AndwhileteachingthatthegloryofsalvationbelongssolelytoGod，healsodeclaredthatthedutyofobediencebelongstoman。\"IfthouartamemberofChrist’schurch，\"hesaid，\"thouartamemberofHisbody；ifthouartofHisbody，thenthouartfullofthedivinenature……Oh，ifmencouldbutenterintotheunderstandingofthisprivilege，howpurely，chastely，andholilywouldtheylive，andhowcontemptible，whencomparedwiththeglorywithinthem，——thatglorywhichtheeyeoffleshcannotsee，——wouldtheydeemallthegloryofthisworld。\"——Ibid。，b。12，ch。2。
ThereweresomeamongLefevre’sstudentswholistenedeagerlytohiswords，andwho，longaftertheteacher’svoiceshouldbesilenced，weretocontinuetodeclarethetruth。SuchwasWilliamFarel。Thesonofpiousparents，andeducatedtoacceptwithimplicitfaiththeteachingsofthechurch，hemight，withtheapostlePaul，havedeclaredconcerninghimself:\"AfterthemoststraitestsectofourreligionIlivedaPharisee。\"Acts26:5。A
devotedRomanist，heburnedwithzealtodestroyallwhoshoulddaretoopposethechurch。\"Iwouldgnashmyteethlikeafuriouswolf，\"heafterwardsaid，referringtothisperiodofhislife，\"whenIheardanyonespeakingagainstthepope。\"——Wylie，b。13，ch。
2。Hehadbeenuntiringinhisadorationofthesaints，incompanywithLefevremakingtheroundofthechurchesofParis，worshippingatthealtars，andadorningwithgiftstheholyshrines。Buttheseobservancescouldnotbringpeaceofsoul。Convictionofsinfasteneduponhim，whichalltheactsofpenancethathepracticedfailedtobanish。AstoavoicefromheavenhelistenedtotheReformer’swords:\"Salvationisofgrace。\"\"TheInnocentOneiscondemned，andthecriminalisacquitted。\"\"ItisthecrossofChristalonethat214
openeththegatesofheaven，andshutteththegatesofhell。\"——Ibid。，b。
13，ch。2。
Fareljoyfullyacceptedthetruth。ByaconversionlikethatofPaulheturnedfromthebondageoftraditiontothelibertyofthesonsofGod。
\"Insteadofthemurderousheartofaraveningwolf，\"hecameback，hesays，\"quietlylikeameekandharmlesslamb，havinghisheartentirelywithdrawnfromthepope，andgiventoJesusChrist。\"——D’Aubigne，b。12，ch。3。
WhileLefevrecontinuedtospreadthelightamonghisstudents，Farel，aszealousinthecauseofChristashehadbeeninthatofthepope，wentforthtodeclarethetruthinpublic。Adignitaryofthechurch，thebishopofMeaux，soonafterunitedwiththem。Otherteacherswhorankedhighfortheirabilityandlearningjoinedinproclaimingthegospel，anditwonadherentsamongallclasses，fromthehomesofartisansandpeasantstothepalaceoftheking。ThesisterofFrancisI，thenthereigningmonarch，acceptedthereformedfaith。Thekinghimself，andthequeenmother，appearedforatimetoregarditwithfavor，andwithhighhopestheReformerslookedforwardtothetimewhenFranceshouldbewontothegospel。
Buttheirhopeswerenottoberealized。TrialandpersecutionawaitedthedisciplesofChrist。This，however，wasmercifullyveiledfromtheireyes。A
timeofpeaceintervened，thattheymightgainstrengthtomeetthetempest；
andtheReformationmaderapidprogress。ThebishopofMeauxlaboredzealouslyinhisowndiocesetoinstructboththeclergyandthepeople。
Ignorantandimmoralpriestswereremoved，and，sofaraspossible，replacedbymenoflearningandpiety。ThebishopgreatlydesiredthathispeoplemighthaveaccesstothewordofGodforthemselves，andthiswassoonaccomplished。LefevreundertookthetranslationoftheNewTestament；andattheverytimewhenLuther’sGermanBiblewasissuingfromthepressinWittenberg，theFrenchNewTestamentwaspublishedatMeaux。Thebishopsparednolabororexpensetocirculateitinhisparishes，andsoonthe215
peasantsofMeauxwereinpossessionoftheHolyScriptures。
Astravelersperishingfromthirstwelcomewithjoyalivingwaterspring，sodidthesesoulsreceivethemessageofheaven。Thelaborersinthefield，theartisansintheworkshop，cheeredtheirdailytoilbytalkingoftheprecioustruthsoftheBible。Atevening，insteadofresortingtothewine-shops，theyassembledinoneanother’shomestoreadGod’swordandjoininprayerandpraise。Agreatchangewassoonmanifestinthesecommunities。Thoughbelongingtothehumblestclass，anunlearnedandhard-workingpeasantry，thereforming，upliftingpowerofdivinegracewasseenintheirlives。Humble，loving，andholy，theystoodaswitnessestowhatthegospelwillaccomplishforthosewhoreceiveitinsincerity。
ThelightkindledatMeauxsheditsbeamsafar。Everydaythenumberofconvertswasincreasing。Therageofthehierarchywasforatimeheldincheckbytheking，whodespisedthenarrowbigotryofthemonks；butthepapalleadersfinallyprevailed。Nowthestakewassetup。ThebishopofMeaux，forcedtochoosebetweenthefireandrecantation，acceptedtheeasierpath；butnotwithstandingtheleader’sfall，hisflockremainedsteadfast。Manywitnessedforthetruthamidtheflames。Bytheircourageandfidelityatthestake，thesehumbleChristiansspoketothousandswhoindaysofpeacehadneverheardtheirtestimony。
ItwasnotalonethehumbleandthepoorthatamidsufferingandscorndaredtobearwitnessforChrist。Inthelordlyhallsofthecastleandthepalacetherewerekinglysoulsbywhomtruthwasvaluedabovewealthorrankorevenlife。Kinglyarmorconcealedaloftierandmoresteadfastspiritthandidthebishop’srobeandmiter。LouisdeBerquinwasofnoblebirth。A
braveandcourtlyknight，hewasdevotedtostudy，polishedinmanners，andofblamelessmorals。\"Hewas，\"saysawriter，\"agreatfollowerofthepapisticalconstitutions，andagreathearerofmassesandsermons；……
andhecrownedallhisothervirtuesbyholdingLutheranismin216
specialabhorrence。\"But，likesomanyothers，providentiallyguidedtotheBible，hewasamazedtofindthere，\"notthedoctrinesofRome，butthedoctrinesofLuther。\"——Wylie，b。13，ch。9。Henceforthhegavehimselfwithentiredevotiontothecauseofthegospel。
\"ThemostlearnedofthenoblesofFrance，\"hisgeniusandeloquence，hisindomitablecourageandheroiczeal，andhisinfluenceatcourt，——forhewasafavoritewiththeking，——causedhimtoberegardedbymanyasonedestinedtobetheReformerofhiscountry。SaidBeza:\"BerquinwouldhavebeenasecondLuther，hadhefoundinFrancisIasecondelector。\"\"HeisworsethanLuther，\"criedthepapists——Ibid。，b。13，ch。9。MoredreadedhewasindeedbytheRomanistsofFrance。Theythrusthimintoprisonasaheretic，buthewassetatlibertybytheking。Foryearsthestrugglecontinued。Francis，waveringbetweenRomeandtheReformation，alternatelytoleratedandrestrainedthefiercezealofthemonks。Berquinwasthreetimesimprisonedbythepapalauthorities，onlytobereleasedbythemonarch，who，inadmirationofhisgeniusandhisnobilityofcharacter，refusedtosacrificehimtothemaliceofthehierarchy。
BerquinwasrepeatedlywarnedofthedangerthatthreatenedhiminFrance，andurgedtofollowthestepsofthosewhohadfoundsafetyinvoluntaryexile。Thetimidandtime-servingErasmus，whowithallthesplendorofhisscholarshipfailedofthatmoralgreatnesswhichholdslifeandhonorsubservienttotruth，wrotetoBerquin:\"Asktobesentasambassadortosomeforeigncountry；goandtravelinGermany。YouknowBedaandsuchashe——heisathousand-headedmonster，dartingvenomoneveryside。Yourenemiesarenamedlegion。WereyourcausebetterthanthatofJesusChrist，theywillnotletyougotilltheyhavemiserablydestroyedyou。Donottrusttoomuchtotheking’sprotection。Atallevents，donotcompromisemewiththefacultyoftheology。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。9。
Butasdangersthickened，Berquin’szealonlywaxedthestronger。Sofarfromadoptingthepoliticandself-serving217
counselofErasmus，hedetermineduponstillboldermeasures。Hewouldnotonlystandindefenseofthetruth，buthewouldattackerror。ThechargeofheresywhichtheRomanistswereseekingtofastenuponhim，hewouldrivetuponthem。ThemostactiveandbitterofhisopponentswerethelearneddoctorsandmonksofthetheologicaldepartmentinthegreatUniversityofParis，oneofthehighestecclesiasticalauthoritiesbothinthecityandthenation。Fromthewritingsofthesedoctors，Berquindrewtwelvepropositionswhichhepubliclydeclaredtobe\"opposedtotheBible，andheretical；\"andheappealedtothekingtoactasjudgeinthecontroversy。
Themonarch，notloathtobringintocontrastthepowerandacutenessoftheopposingchampions，andgladofanopportunityofhumblingtheprideofthesehaughtymonks，badetheRomanistsdefendtheircausebytheBible。
Thisweapon，theywellknew，wouldavailthemlittle；imprisonment，torture，andthestakewerearmswhichtheybetterunderstoodhowtowield。Nowthetableswereturned，andtheysawthemselvesabouttofallintothepitintowhichtheyhadhopedtoplungeBerquin。Inamazementtheylookedaboutthemforsomewayofescape。
\"JustatthattimeanimageoftheVirginatthecornerofoneofthestreets，wasmutilated。\"Therewasgreatexcitementinthecity。Crowdsofpeopleflockedtotheplace，withexpressionsofmourningandindignation。
Thekingalsowasdeeplymoved。Herewasanadvantagewhichthemonkscouldturntogoodaccount，andtheywerequicktoimproveit。\"ThesearethefruitsofthedoctrinesofBerquin，\"theycried。\"Allisabouttobeoverthrown——religion，thelaws，thethroneitself——bythisLutheranconspiracy。\"——Ibid。，b。
13，ch。9。
AgainBerquinwasapprehended。ThekingwithdrewfromParis，andthemonkswerethusleftfreetoworktheirwill。TheReformerwastriedandcondemnedtodie，andlestFrancisshouldevenyetinterposetosavehim，thesentencewasexecutedontheverydayitwaspronounced。Atnoon218
Berquinwasconductedtotheplaceofdeath。Animmensethronggatheredtowitnesstheevent，andthereweremanywhosawwithastonishmentandmisgivingthatthevictimhadbeenchosenfromthebestandbravestofthenoblefamiliesofFrance。Amazement，indignation，scorn，andbitterhatreddarkenedthefacesofthatsurgingcrowd；butupononefacenoshadowrested。Themartyr’sthoughtswerefarfromthatsceneoftumult；hewasconsciousonlyofthepresenceofhisLord。
Thewretchedtumbreluponwhichherode，thefrowningfacesofhispersecutors，thedreadfuldeathtowhichhewasgoing——theseheheedednot；
Hewholivethandwasdead，andisaliveforevermore，andhaththekeysofdeathandofhell，wasbesidehim。Berquin’scountenancewasradiantwiththelightandpeaceofheaven。Hehadattiredhimselfingoodlyraiment，wearing\"acloakofvelvet，adoubletofsatinanddamask，andgoldenhose。\"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。2，ch。16。HewasabouttotestifytohisfaithinthepresenceoftheKingofkingsandthewitnessinguniverse，andnotokenofmourningshouldbeliehisjoy。
Astheprocessionmovedslowlythroughthecrowdedstreets，thepeoplemarkedwithwondertheuncloudedpeace，andjoyoustriumph，ofhislookandbearing。\"Heis，\"theysaid，\"likeonewhositsinatemple，andmeditatesonholythings。\"——Wylie，b。13，ch。9。
Atthestake，Berquinendeavoredtoaddressafewwordstothepeople；butthemonks，fearingtheresult，begantoshout，andthesoldierstoclashtheirarms，andtheirclamordrownedthemartyr’svoice。Thusin1529thehighestliteraryandecclesiasticalauthorityofculturedParis\"setthepopulaceof1793thebaseexampleofstiflingonthescaffoldthesacredwordsofthedying。\"——Ibid。，b，13，ch。9。
Berquinwasstrangled，andhisbodywasconsumedintheflames。ThetidingsofhisdeathcausedsorrowtothefriendsoftheReformationthroughoutFrance。Buthisexamplewas219
notlost。\"We，too，areready，\"saidthewitnessesforthetruth，\"tomeetdeathcheerfully，settingoureyesonthelifethatistocome。\"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。2，ch。16。
DuringthepersecutionofMeaux，theteachersofthereformedfaithweredeprivedoftheirlicensetopreach，andtheydepartedtootherfields。
LefevreafteratimemadehiswaytoGermany。FarelreturnedtohisnativetownineasternFrance，tospreadthelightinthehomeofhischildhood。
AlreadytidingshadbeenreceivedofwhatwasgoingonatMeaux，andthetruth，whichhetaughtwithfearlesszeal，foundlisteners。Soontheauthoritieswererousedtosilencehim，andhewasbanishedfromthecity。
Thoughhecouldnolongerlaborpublicly，hetraversedtheplainsandvillages，teachinginprivatedwellingsandinsecludedmeadows，andfindingshelterintheforestsandamongtherockycavernswhichhadbeenhishauntsinboyhood。Godwaspreparinghimforgreatertrials。\"Thecrosses，persecutions，andmachinationsofSatan，ofwhichIwasforewarned，havenotbeenwanting，\"hesaid；\"theyareevenmuchsevererthanIcouldhaveborneofmyself；butGodismyFather；HehasprovidedandalwayswillprovidemethestrengthwhichIrequire。\"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationoftheSixteenthCentury，b。12，ch。9。
Asinapostolicdays，persecutionhad\"fallenoutratheruntothefurtheranceofthegospel。\"Philippians1:12。DrivenfromParisandMeaux，\"theythatwerescatteredabroadwenteverywherepreachingtheword。\"Acts8:4。AndthusthelightfounditswayintomanyoftheremoteprovincesofFrance。
GodwasstillpreparingworkerstoextendHiscause。InoneoftheschoolsofPariswasathoughtful，quietyouth，alreadygivingevidenceofapowerfulandpenetratingmind，andnolessmarkedfortheblamelessnessofhislifethanforintellectualardorandreligiousdevotion。Hisgeniusandapplicationsoonmadehimtheprideofthecollege，anditwasconfidentlyanticipatedthatJohnCalvinwouldbecome220
oneoftheablestandmosthonoreddefendersofthechurch。ButarayofdivinelightpenetratedevenwithinthewallsofscholasticismandsuperstitionbywhichCalvinwasenclosed。Heheardofthenewdoctrineswithashudder，nothingdoubtingthatthehereticsdeservedthefiretowhichtheyweregiven。YetallunwittinglyhewasbroughtfacetofacewiththeheresyandforcedtotestthepowerofRomishtheologytocombattheProtestantteaching。
AcousinofCalvin’s，whohadjoinedtheReformers，wasinParis。ThetwokinsmenoftenmetanddiscussedtogetherthemattersthatweredisturbingChristendom。\"Therearebuttworeligionsintheworld，\"saidOlivetan，theProtestant。\"Theoneclassofreligionsarethosewhichmenhaveinvented，inallofwhichmansaveshimselfbyceremoniesandgoodworks；theotheristhatonereligionwhichisrevealedintheBible，andwhichteachesmantolookforsalvationsolelyfromthefreegraceofGod。\"
\"Iwillhavenoneofyournewdoctrines，\"exclaimedCalvin；\"thinkyouthatIhavelivedinerrorallmydays？\"——Wylie，b。13，ch。7。
Butthoughtshadbeenawakenedinhismindwhichhecouldnotbanishatwill。Aloneinhischamberhepondereduponhiscousin’swords。Convictionofsinfasteneduponhim；hesawhimself，withoutanintercessor，inthepresenceofaholyandjustJudge。Themediationofsaints，goodworks，theceremoniesofthechurch，allwerepowerlesstoatoneforsin。Hecouldseebeforehimnothingbuttheblacknessofeternaldespair。Invainthedoctorsofthechurchendeavoredtorelievehiswoe。Confession，penance，wereresortedtoinvain；theycouldnotreconcilethesoulwithGod。
Whilestillengagedinthesefruitlessstruggles，Calvin，chancingonedaytovisitoneofthepublicsquares，witnessedtheretheburningofaheretic。Hewasfilledwithwonderattheexpressionofpeacewhichresteduponthemartyr’scountenance。Amidthetorturesofthatdreadfuldeath，andunderthemoreterriblecondemnationofthechurch，he221
manifestedafaithandcouragewhichtheyoungstudentpainfullycontrastedwithhisowndespairanddarkness，whilelivinginstrictestobediencetothechurch。UpontheBible，heknew，thehereticsrestedtheirfaith。Hedeterminedtostudyit，anddiscover，ifhecould，thesecretoftheirjoy。
IntheBiblehefoundChrist。\"OFather，\"hecried，\"HissacrificehasappeasedThywrath；Hisbloodhaswashedawaymyimpurities；Hiscrosshasbornemycurse；Hisdeathhasatonedforme。Wehaddevisedforourselvesmanyuselessfollies，butThouhastplacedThywordbeforemelikeatorch，andThouhasttouchedmyheart，inorderthatImayholdinabominationallothermeritssavethoseofJesus。\"——Martyn，vol。3，ch。13。
Calvinhadbeeneducatedforthepriesthood。Whenonlytwelveyearsofagehehadbeenappointedtothechaplaincyofasmallchurch，andhisheadhadbeenshornbythebishopinaccordancewiththecanonofthechurch。Hedidnotreceiveconsecration，nordidhefulfillthedutiesofapriest，buthebecameamemberoftheclergy，holdingthetitleofhisoffice，andreceivinganallowanceinconsiderationthereof。
Now，feelingthathecouldneverbecomeapriest，heturnedforatimetothestudyoflaw，butfinallyabandonedthispurposeanddeterminedtodevotehislifetothegospel。Buthehesitatedtobecomeapublicteacher。
Hewasnaturallytimid，andwasburdenedwithasenseoftheweightyresponsibilityoftheposition，andhedesiredstilltodevotehimselftostudy。Theearnestentreatiesofhisfriends，however，atlastwonhisconsent。\"Wonderfulitis，\"hesaid，\"thatoneofsolowlyanoriginshouldbeexaltedtosogreatadignity。\"——Wylie，b。13，ch。9。
QuietlydidCalvinenteruponhiswork，andhiswordswereasthedewfallingtorefreshtheearth。HehadleftParis，andwasnowinaprovincialtownundertheprotectionoftheprincessMargaret，who，lovingthegospel，extendedherprotectiontoitsdisciples。Calvinwasstillayouth，of222
gentle，unpretentiousbearing。Hisworkbeganwiththepeopleattheirhomes。Surroundedbythemembersofthehousehold，hereadtheBibleandopenedthetruthsofsalvation。Thosewhoheardthemessagecarriedthegoodnewstoothers，andsoontheteacherpassedbeyondthecitytotheoutlyingtownsandhamlets。Toboththecastleandthecabinhefoundentrance，andhewentforward，layingthefoundationofchurchesthatweretoyieldfearlesswitnessesforthetruth。
AfewmonthsandhewasagaininParis。Therewasunwontedagitationinthecircleoflearnedmenandscholars。ThestudyoftheancientlanguageshadledmentotheBible，andmanywhoseheartswereuntouchedbyitstruthswereeagerlydiscussingthemandevengivingbattletothechampionsofRomanism。Calvin，thoughanablecombatantinthefieldsoftheologicalcontroversy，hadahighermissiontoaccomplishthanthatofthesenoisyschoolmen。Themindsofmenwerestirred，andnowwasthetimetoopentothemthetruth。Whilethehallsoftheuniversitieswerefilledwiththeclamoroftheologicaldisputation，Calvinwasmakinghiswayfromhousetohouse，openingtheBibletothepeople，andspeakingtothemofChristandHimcrucified。
InGod’sprovidence，Pariswastoreceiveanotherinvitationtoacceptthegospel。ThecallofLefevreandFarelhadbeenrejected，butagainthemessagewastobeheardbyallclassesinthatgreatcapital。Theking，influencedbypoliticalconsiderations，hadnotyetfullysidedwithRomeagainsttheReformation。MargaretstillclungtothehopethatProtestantismwastotriumphinFrance。SheresolvedthatthereformedfaithshouldbepreachedinParis。Duringtheabsenceoftheking，sheorderedaProtestantministertopreachinthechurchesofthecity。Thisbeingforbiddenbythepapaldignitaries，theprincessthrewopenthepalace。Anapartmentwasfittedupasachapel，anditwasannouncedthateveryday，ataspecifiedhour，asermonwouldbepreached，andthepeopleofeveryrankandstationwereinvitedtoattend。
223
Crowdsflockedtotheservice。Notonlythechapel，buttheantechambersandhallswerethronged。Thousandseverydayassembled——nobles，statesmen，lawyers，merchants，andartisans。Theking，insteadofforbiddingtheassemblies，orderedthattwoofthechurchesofParisshouldbeopened。
NeverbeforehadthecitybeensomovedbythewordofGod。Thespiritoflifefromheavenseemedtobebreatheduponthepeople。Temperance，purity，order，andindustryweretakingtheplaceofdrunkenness，licentiousness，strife，andidleness。
Butthehierarchywerenotidle。Thekingstillrefusedtointerferetostopthepreaching，andtheyturnedtothepopulace。Nomeansweresparedtoexcitethefears，theprejudices，andthefanaticismoftheignorantandsuperstitiousmultitude。Yieldingblindlytoherfalseteachers，Paris，likeJerusalemofold，knewnotthetimeofhervisitationnorthethingswhichbelongeduntoherpeace。FortwoyearsthewordofGodwaspreachedinthecapital；but，whilethereweremanywhoacceptedthegospel，themajorityofthepeoplerejectedit。Francishadmadeashowoftoleration，merelytoservehisownpurposes，andthepapistssucceededinregainingtheascendancy。Againthechurcheswereclosed，andthestakewassetup。
CalvinwasstillinParis，preparinghimselfbystudy，meditation，andprayerforhisfuturelabors，andcontinuingtospreadthelight。Atlast，however，suspicionfasteneduponhim。Theauthoritiesdeterminedtobringhimtotheflames。Regardinghimselfassecureinhisseclusion，hehadnothoughtofdanger，whenfriendscamehurryingtohisroomwiththenewsthatofficerswereontheirwaytoarresthim。Atthatinstantaloudknockingwasheardattheouterentrance。Therewasnotamomenttobelost。Someofhisfriendsdetainedtheofficersatthedoor，whileothersassistedtheReformertolethimselfdownfromawindow，andherapidlymadehiswaytotheoutskirtsofthecity。Findingshelterinthecottageofalaborerwhowasafriendtothereform，hedisguisedhimselfinthegarmentsofhishost，and，224
shoulderingahoe，startedonhisjourney。Travelingsouthward，heagainfoundrefugeinthedominionsofMargaret。(SeeD’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。2，ch。30。)
Hereforafewmonthsheremained，safeundertheprotectionofpowerfulfriends，andengagedasbeforeinstudy。ButhisheartwassetupontheevangelizationofFrance，andhecouldnotlongremaininactive。Assoonasthestormhadsomewhatabated，hesoughtanewfieldoflaborinPoitiers，wherewasauniversity，andwherealreadythenewopinionshadfoundfavor。
Personsofallclassesgladlylistenedtothegospel。Therewasnopublicpreaching，butinthehomeofthechiefmagistrate，inhisownlodgings，andsometimesinapublicgarden，Calvinopenedthewordsofeternallifetothosewhodesiredtolisten。Afteratime，asthenumberofhearersincreased，itwasthoughtsafertoassembleoutsidethecity。Acaveinthesideofadeepandnarrowgorge，wheretreesandoverhangingrocksmadetheseclusionstillmorecomplete，waschosenastheplaceofmeeting。Littlecompanies，leavingthecitybydifferentroutes，foundtheirwayhither。InthisretiredspottheBiblewasreadaloudandexplained。HeretheLord’sSupperwascelebratedforthefirsttimebytheProtestantsofFrance。Fromthislittlechurchseveralfaithfulevangelistsweresentout。
OncemoreCalvinreturnedtoParis。HecouldnotevenyetrelinquishthehopethatFranceasanationwouldaccepttheReformation。Buthefoundalmosteverydooroflaborclosed。Toteachthegospelwastotakethedirectroadtothestake，andheatlastdeterminedtodeparttoGermany。
ScarcelyhadheleftFrancewhenastormburstovertheProtestants，that，hadheremained，mustsurelyhaveinvolvedhiminthegeneralruin。
TheFrenchReformers，eagertoseetheircountrykeepingpacewithGermanyandSwitzerland，determinedtostrikeaboldblowagainstthesuperstitionsofRome，thatshouldarousethewholenation。Accordinglyplacardsattackingthe225
masswereinonenightpostedalloverFrance。Insteadofadvancingthereform，thiszealousbutill-judgedmovementbroughtruin，notonlyuponitspropagators，butuponthefriendsofthereformedfaiththroughoutFrance。
ItgavetheRomanistswhattheyhadlongdesired——apretextfordemandingtheutterdestructionofthehereticsasagitatorsdangeroustothestabilityofthethroneandthepeaceofthenation。
Bysomesecrethand——whetherofindiscreetfriendorwilyfoewasneverknown——oneoftheplacardswasattachedtothedooroftheking’sprivatechamber。Themonarchwasfilledwithhorror。Inthispaper，superstitionsthathadreceivedthevenerationofageswereattackedwithanunsparinghand。Andtheunexampledboldnessofobtrudingtheseplainandstartlingutterancesintotheroyalpresencearousedthewrathoftheking。Inhisamazementhestoodforalittletimetremblingandspeechless。Thenhisragefoundutteranceintheterriblewords:\"LetallbeseizedwithoutdistinctionwhoaresuspectedofLutheresy。Iwillexterminatethemall——Ibid。，b。4，ch。10。Thediewascast。ThekinghaddeterminedtothrowhimselffullyonthesideofRome。
MeasureswereatoncetakenforthearrestofeveryLutheraninParis。A
poorartisan，anadherentofthereformedfaith，whohadbeenaccustomedtosummonthebelieverstotheirsecretassemblies，wasseizedand，withthethreatofinstantdeathatthestake，wascommandedtoconductthepapalemissarytothehomeofeveryProtestantinthecity。Heshrankinhorrorfromthebaseproposal，butatlastfearoftheflamesprevailed，andheconsentedtobecomethebetrayerofhisbrethren。Precededbythehost，andsurroundedbyatrainofpriests，incensebearers，monks，andsoldiers，Morin，theroyaldetective，withthetraitor，slowlyandsilentlypassedthroughthestreetsofthecity。Thedemonstrationwasostensiblyinhonorofthe\"holysacrament，\"anactofexpiationfortheinsultputuponthemassbytheprotesters。Butbeneaththispageantadeadlypurposewas226
concealed。OnarrivingoppositethehouseofaLutheran，thebetrayermadeasign，butnowordwasuttered。Theprocessionhalted，thehousewasentered，thefamilyweredraggedforthandchained，andtheterriblecompanywentforwardinsearchoffreshvictims。They\"sparednohouse，greatorsmall，noteventhecollegesoftheUniversityofParis……Morinmadeallthecityquake……Itwasareignofterror。\"——Ibid。，b。4，ch。10。
Thevictimswereputtodeathwithcrueltorture，itbeingspeciallyorderedthatthefireshouldbeloweredinordertoprolongtheiragony。Buttheydiedasconquerors。Theirconstancywereunshaken，theirpeaceunclouded。
Theirpersecutors，powerlesstomovetheirinflexiblefirmness，feltthemselvesdefeated。\"ThescaffoldsweredistributedoverallthequartersofParis，andtheburningsfollowedonsuccessivedays，thedesignbeingtospreadtheterrorofheresybyspreadingtheexecutions。Theadvantage，however，intheend，remainedwiththegospel。AllPariswasenabledtoseewhatkindofmenthenewopinionscouldproduce。Therewasnopulpitlikethemartyr’spile。Theserenejoythatlightedupthefacesofthesemenastheypassedalong……totheplaceofexecution，theirheroismastheystoodamidthebitterflames，theirmeekforgivenessofinjuries，transformed，ininstancesnotafew，angerintopity，andhateintolove，andpleadedwithresistlesseloquenceinbehalfofthegospel。\"——Wylie，b。
13，ch。20。
Thepriests，bentuponkeepingthepopularfuryatitsheight，circulatedthemostterribleaccusationsagainsttheProtestants。TheywerechargedwithplottingtomassacretheCatholics，tooverthrowthegovernment，andtomurdertheking。Notashadowofevidencecouldbeproducedinsupportoftheallegations。Yetthesepropheciesofevilweretohaveafulfillment；
underfardifferentcircumstances，however，andfromcausesofanoppositecharacter。ThecrueltiesthatwereinflictedupontheinnocentProtestantsbytheCatholicsaccumulatedinaweightofretribution，andinaftercenturieswroughttheverydoomtheyhadpredictedtobeimpending，upontheking，hisgovernment，andhis227
subjects；butitwasbroughtaboutbyinfidelsandbythepapiststhemselves。Itwasnottheestablishment，butthesuppression，ofProtestantism，that，threehundredyearslater，wastobringuponFrancethesedirecalamities。
Suspicion，distrust，andterrornowpervadedallclassesofsociety。AmidthegeneralalarmitwasseenhowdeepaholdtheLutheranteachinghadgaineduponthemindsofmenwhostoodhighestforeducation，influence，andexcellenceofcharacter。Positionsoftrustandhonorweresuddenlyfoundvacant。Artisans，printers，scholars，professorsintheuniversities，authors，andevencourtiers，disappeared。HundredsfledfromParis，self-constitutedexilesfromtheirnativeland，inmanycasesthusgivingthefirstintimationthattheyfavoredthereformedfaith。Thepapistslookedabouttheminamazementatthoughtoftheunsuspectedhereticsthathadbeentoleratedamongthem。Theirragespentitselfuponthemultitudesofhumblervictimswhowerewithintheirpower。Theprisonswerecrowded，andtheveryairseemeddarkenedwiththesmokeofburningpiles，kindledfortheconfessorsofthegospel。
