An historical sketch of the prostestant church of france

Front matter

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Protestant Church of France

: IRA J. TAYLOR LIBRARY | THE ILIFF SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY 2233 SO. UNIVERSITY BLVD.

Chapter I

HISTORY OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCH OF FRANCE FROM ITS ORIGIN in 1559 ro 1571.

Importance of the subject—Chief Authorities—Early Reformation indebted to Nobles—Translation of the Scriptures—Great Advantage of the Metrical Psalms—Early Success—Severe Sufferings of the Martyrs—Confession of Faith in Forty Articles—Wise Discipline of the Church in regard to Pastors, ‘Teachers, Church Members, the Poor, &c.—Rapid Progress of the Church—Illustrated by Modern Missions in the South Seas. - - Soe ots

CHAPTER IL.

Persecution—Fearful Massacre of St. Bartholomew—Disastrous Effects of the Persecution—Efforts after an increased rumber of Pastors, and a well educated Ministry—Recommendations regarding Catechising, a new Translation of the Scriptures, Sanctification of the Sabbath, the Hallowing of God’s Name—Testimony of the Church against various Errors, and the Proposal to Unite the Romish and Reformed Churches—Unity of Sentiment and Affection among the Churches of the Reformation—Christian Spirit of the Church of France—Enfeebled and Declining State of many of her Congregations—Apostasy of Henry IV. - - - A2

PROTESTANTISM OF THE PROVINCES OF BEARN AND NAVARRE.

Early Refuge for the Suffering Protestants—Rapid Progress of the Truth—Severe Struggles with the Popish Party—Exertions of Montgomery, a Scotchman—Defence of the Protestants taking up he eee Be

Arms—Christian Character of the Church of Bearn and Navarre— Education; Sabbath Observance; Appointment of Ministers; Missionary Spirit; Sympathy with the Suffering. - - oT

CONTEMPORANEOUS HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND FROM 1560 ro 1592.

Early Connection between Scotland and the Continent of Europe— Number of Scotchmen in France—The low Moral and Religious State of Scotland prior to the Reformation—The First Martyrs— Humble Beginnings and amazing Progress of the Reformed Church —Resemblance between the Church of Scotland and the Church of France in Doctrine and Discipline—High Qualifications required for the Ministry—Manifold Labours of the Pastor—Success against Popery—Spirit of Union with Christian Churches, and Sympathy with the Afflicted—Explanation and Vindication of the High Discipline of the Church—Confirmation of preceding Statements from recently discovered Records of the General Session of er gow - - = = A = = =

CHAPTER III. From 1598 To 1660

The Establishment of the Edict of Nantes—The Religious Wars which preceded 1it—The Advantages of the Edict—Early Encroachments and Cruelties under Louis XIII.—The Self-Defensive Efforts of the Protestants—Noble Character of Mornay Du Plessis—The Siege of Rochelle—Sympathy of the British Nation with the French Sufferers—Comparative Quiet—The generous Efforts of Oliver Cromwell in behalf of the Persecuted Piedmontese—Revival of Popery under Louis XIII.—The Number of the Protestants—Their Loyalty—The Learning of the Ministers—Their Piety. - 77

CONTEMPORANEOUS HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND FROM 1592 ro 1660.

Correspondence in the Histories of the Church of France and the Church of Scotland—The Encroachments of James VI. on the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church, and his Instruments—Noble Firmness of the Presbyterian Ministers—Christian Character of the Church during the reign of James VI.—Labours in Planting Churches—Strict Discipline on Ministers and People—Exertions against Popery, and Success—Large Number of Communicants in Parishes; Cases of Ednam, Newbattle, Shetland—The Accession of Charles I. and Rule of Archbishop Laud—The Service- Book attempted to be thrust on the Church—The Reaction—The Universal and Disinterested Struggle of the People of Scotland— rage

Civil Wars of England—Execution of Charles I., and Vindication of the Presbyterians from any share in it—Spiritual Character of the Church during her Wafare with the King—Devout Spirit of the Presbyterian Army—Vindicated from the Charge of Cruelty— Labours of the Church against Popery, &c.—In behalf of Church Extension—-Presbyterial Visitations—Family Worship—Fast Day Appointments—Special Revivals of Religion—Explanation of the Sins and Crimes met with in the Records of the Church—Talents and Attainments of the leading Ministers. - - - 94

PARALLELS BETWEEN THE CHURCHES OF FRANCE AND SCOTLAND WHILE THE EDICT OF NANTES WAS IN FORCE.

Szcr. JI.—The Churches of France and Scotland encourage the Preparation and Publication of Good Books. 124

Secr. II.—Show love for the Word of God. - - 131 Sror. III.—Promote Education and Learning. - - 140 Sror. IV.—Cherish Sympathy and Benevolence. - - 157

Srcr. V.—Advocate Christian Union. - - - 170 Secor. VI.—Protest against the Corruptions of the Church of Rome. - = = aers0

Secor. VII.—Sound in Doctrine, and the Enemies of Error. - 190

CHAPTER IV. From 1660 ro 1685

Early and Manifold infractions of the Edict of Nantes preparatory to its Abrogation—Striking Testimony of Rev. Mr. Cotton, an Englishman, to the Persecution in France, of which he was an eye-witness—Testimony of Wodrow the Historian—Petition presented in behalf of the French Protestants, by Marischal Shomberg—Petition of Protestants themselves to the King—Actuat Revocation or tHE Epict or Nanres—Fearful Atrocities—Seven Different Methods of Persecution—Individual Cases of Sutfering—Testimony of Bishop Burnet, an eye-witness, to the misery of France, and the Cruelties inflicted on the Protestants—Aggravations in the Sin of Persecution—The Christian Spirit of the Sufferers, Le Febvre—Marolles—Pierre Mauru—A humble Shepherd—Serre— The Romish Falsehood that there was no Persecution, and that the Protestants Conformed of their own accord—Destruction of their Religious books—Extension of the Persecution beyond the boundaries of France—Testimony afforded by Jurieu’s Letters— Proscribed Meetings of the Protestants for Divine Worship—Remarkable Death of Rey, a youthful Martyr—Death of aged Martyrs—Wretchedness of a Backslider—Banishment of the Faithful to America, and accompanying Sufferings—Jurieu’s Testimony to to the Failure of the Persecution to make any real Converts to the Church of Rome—Moral Causes in the Providence of God for the protracted Persecution of the French Protestants. - - 205

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KNOWLEDGE DISSOCIATED FROM TRUE RELIGION UTTERLY UNABLE TO PREVENT OR NEUTRALIZE THE SPIRIT OF PERSECUTION, EX- EMPLIFIED IN THE REIGN OF LOUIS XIV.

Origin of Persecution—Literature and Learning of France—The Possessors did nothing to Prevent the Persecution, though the sufferers were many, and Friends of Knowledge—Attainments of the Reformed in Learning—Unworthy adulation of the Persecutor by the Literati—Insufficiency of Literature to make men happy in themselves, or the Sources of Good to others—Value of Religious Principle. - - - E . - - 270

Cromwell’s Rule in Scotland—His Encouragement of Learning and Protestantism—The Moral and Proximate causes of the Coming Persecution—The General Joy at the Restoration of Charles I1.— The Character of his Leading Agents in Scotland—The Flagrant Violation of the Constitution and Privileges of the Church of Scotland—The Disinterested Sacrifices of the Presbyterian Ministers, four hundred of whom were ejected from their Charges—The Miserable Character of their Episcopal Successors—The Extent and Severity of the Persecution—Various Testimonies to it—The Presbyterians Vindicated from the Charge of being Rebels—The Moral and Religious Character of the Covenanters as a whole—The Sufferings of the Episcopalians in England, under Cromwell, not to be compared with those of the Presbyterians in Scotland and in England, under Charles and James—Character of the Church during the Persecuting Times, as appears from Ecclesiastical Records— Character of Charles I1.—James II. a Roman Catholic, and labours to Establish Popery—Services of the Church of England against Popery, Disinterested Conduct of the Presbyterians, both in Scotland and in England—Failure of the Efforts of the King—Revolution of 1688; Connection between the Persecutors in Britain and France, and Designs of Popery—The French Protestants aided the British Revolution—-The Revolution itself the Effect of the Interposition of Providence. - ~ = a a a} p27

THE CHURCHES OF FRANCE AND SCOTLAND VINDICATED FROM THE CHARGE OF REBELLION—THE OBJECTIONS OF DR. PUSEY CON- SIDERED.

Question of the Lawfulness of Resistance to Civil Power—Arguments for Passive Obedience and Non-Resistance; Statements of Dr. Pusey—The Actual Conduct of the Presbyterians in France and Scotland—The Views of Scripture—The Example of the Primitive Churech—Turned against Dr. Pusey and his Friends—The Supposed Good of Uniform and Universal Non-Resistance, and the Supposed evil of Resistance in any Case Disproved by Acts—Con-

CONTENTS. ll demnation of the Severe and Unwarrantable Tone in which Dr. Pusey speaks of the Suffering Saints of God—Testimonies to the Character of the French Protestant Church by Distinguished Writers: Edwards, Burnet, Croly, Faber—Church of England Divines Approve of Resistance in Extreme Cases—Conduct of the University of Oxford in the Matter—Extract from Dr. M’Crie on the Subject, in Answer to Fuller—Illustration from Switzerland—Sentiments of Caivin—Religious Spirit of the French Protestants in taking up Arms—Caution with which the whole Subject should be Regarded. - s a a : : 300

CHAPTER V. FROM 1685 To 1715

The Dread Consequences of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes— Emigration from France—Testimony of Bishop Burnet to this point—Correspondence of a Swiss Magistrate with one of the Captives detained in France—Multitude of emigrants to different Protestant Countries—France suffered Commercially—Impulse given to the Manufactures of Britain by French Refugees—Dispersion of French Ministers—Residence of several in Edinburgh—De Souligne’s Statement of the Commercial Loss to France by Popery— Generosity of British Christians to Suffering Refugees—Collections, &c..—iKindness to the German Palatinates at the same period —Condition of the Protestants who remained in France—Faithful Christian Counsels Addressed to them by their Exiled Ministers— Persecution still went forward—The Protestant or Camisard Struggle—Pretensions to Prophetic Gifts; the Fruit of Oppression—Persecution of the Saints the means of the Conversion of a Roman Catholic Priest—The Miserable Death of Louis XIV., an Illustration of Moral Government—Forgiving Spirit of the Protestants— Moral Government in Case of Charles IX., and Insufficiency of Science to Prevent Persecution in Case of Gregory XIII. (Note.) 313

CONTEMPORANEOUS HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND FROM 1688 vo 1715.

Diversity of God’s Treatment of the Churches of the Reformation— Critical Circumstances of the Protestants of Europe, immediately before the British Revolution of 1688—One of the First Effects of the Revolution was to Check the Persecution of the Protestants in Piedmont—The Moral and Religious State of Scotland at the Revolution—Peculiar Difficulties connected with the Revolution in Scotland—Zeal and Sacrifices of the Church in carrying it through— Generous Conduct of the Presbyterians towards the Episcopalians— Comprehension of the Episcopal Incumbents in the Presbyterian Establishment, a fatal Error—External Circumstances of Britain immediately after the Revolution—Zealous Efforts of the Church of Scotland in Church Extension, especially in the Highlands and Islands—In the Cause of Education—Various other proofs of a Christian Spirit—Universities—Ministers sent to the Colony of

Darien—Favourable Practical Result of the Operation of Christian Means; Dr. Benyon’s Testimony—De Foe’s—Favourable Change in the Western Highlands—Also North Highlands—General Testimony of Professor Wodrow, Sir H. Moncrieff, and Pierce—Union between the two Kingdoms, in a chief degree carried through by the Church—Adyerse Influences with which the Church had to Contend, particularly Queen Anne’s Act Restoring Lay Patronage in 1711. E = E - : 339

Chapter VI

Ebbs and Flows of Persecution—Persecuting Declaration of 1724— “French Convert’””—Christian Character and Loyalty of the Protestants—Character of the Church of Rome in France at the same time; Jesuists and Jansenists—Notice of Jansenism—Amount of Protestant Population at this time—Continued Persecution; Martyrdom of an Aged Minister—Varied Forms of Persecution—Last Days of Several Martyrs—-Aggravating Circumstances in the Persecution—Notice of the Persecution in other Popish Countries at the same period, Poland, Austria—The Saltzburghers find a Refuge in Prussia—Character and Conduct of—The Tyrolese of the same Country Persecuted at the present day by Austria, and find a Refuge also in Prussia—The Present Erastian Persecution in Prussia— Importance of maintaining the Headship of Christ. - 367

Improved Protestant security of Britain, by the Accession of the Hanoverian Family—Remarkable Providence of God in connection with the present Royal Family and Protestantism (Note)—Church of Scotland and Presbyterians warm friends of the Protestant Succession—Christian Character and Liberality of the Church of Scotland—Contributions for the College cf New Jersey in the United States—For the Churches of Lithuania—Labours of the Church in the Cause of Church and School Extension—Pleasing Symptoms of Revival in particular parishes—General Decline of Sound Doetrine and True Religion in the Church; Case of Simson, &c.— Indications of Infidelity in Scotland—Similar Decline in the other Churches of the Reformation—Efforts of Faithful Men in England and Germany to Arrest the Degeneracy (Note)—Decline in the Church of England—Among the English Dissenters—In Ireland— In Geneva—In the Protestant Church of Germany—The Proximate Causes of the General Decline—Progress of the Degeneracy in Scotland; the Secession—Attachment of the People to Evangelical Preaching—God’s Mercy to the Church of Scotland in the Revivals of 1743—Popish Rebellion of 1745—The State blameworthy in not providing the Moral Means for counteracting Popery—Attachment of the Church of Scotland to the Protestant Royal Family—Statement of Dr. Doddridge as to the Causes and Cure of Popery in the Highlands and Islands. : - - 389

CHAPTER VII. From 1755 To 1792

Relaxation of the Persecution for a Season— Its Revival in connection with the Prohibition of Protestant Marriages—The Celebrated Case of M. Roux—Troussel’s Eloquent Pleading—Dawn of Toleration and its causes—Its connection with wide-spread Infidelity—The French Revolution—Number of the Protestants at this period— Serious decline in Religious Character, and causes of this—Imperfect Education of the Pastors—Fine Character of Paul Rabaut, the most eminent of the number—Injurious effect of Infidelity on Protestantism and Freedom—Decline of Sound Doctrine and Religious Character among the French Protestants in Holland—Some Protestant Pastors as well as Roman Catholic Priests avow Infidelity during the French Revolution—The Revolutionists Persecute the faithful Protestants. - - - - - 420

CONTEMPORANEOUS HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND FROM 1755 ‘ro 1792.

Progress of the Religious Decline—New Secession from’ the Church owing to the rigorous exercise of Patronage—Arrest of the Church’s efforts for increased Schools and Places of Worship—Increase of Popery—The Seven Years’ War (Note)—Faithful minority still in the Church—Their labours through “ The Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge’’——Character and Policy of the Majority in the General Assembly—Their alleged Connection with Literature (Note)-—Description of the cold Christianity, Irreligion, and unsound Doctrine of Britain generally—Testimony of Toplady in regard to the Church of England—Bishop Lavington—Biographer of Hervey—In regard to the English Dissenters, testimonies of Watts, Doddridge, Orton, Ryland, &c.—Discreditable conduct of Socinians (Note)—Infidelity in Britain, threatening aspects—Overruled for the Revival of Evangelical Religion—Similar Revival in the Protestant Churches of Germany from similar causes—Testimony of Professor Tholuck to this purpose. - - 436

CHAPTER VIII. From 1792 ro 1840

Infidelity a Persecutor—Persecuting Sentiments and Conduct of the French Revolutionists-Moral Retribution of Providence on the Infidel Leaders; the Popish persecution of the Protestant Church the true cause of the French Revolution-=Return of France to the Profession of Christianity and Religious Toleration—Improved Condition of the Protestant Church under Napoleon——Code of Public Rules for her Goyernment—No Improvement in her Spiritual Character—-Further External Advantages—Depressed Spiritual

Condition continued; its Causes—Revival by the Instrumentality of the Circulation of the Scriptures, and Visits by British Christians—Labours of Robert Haldane, Esq.—Remarkable Conversion of a French Protestant Pastor—Faithful Protestant Remnant in Secluded Spots—Rev. Mr. Davies’ Visit to one of them—Large share of remaining Neology—Severe Persecution of the Protestants on the Restoration of the Bourbons, in 1816——Difference between it and the former Persecutions—Present and growing numbers of the Protestant Church—General Condition of the Pastors—Religious Character still low—Progress toward Improvement—Evangelical tone of the Religious Press—Missionary Spirit—Special Revivals—Incipient Persecution—Letter of M. Marzials. 456

Further Testimonies to the General Religious Declension of last Century—The low State of Religion affected Literature—-And the Spirit of Public Freedom—Testimony of Dr. Jamieson to prevailing Irreligion—Of Professor Bruce—Revival in Great Britain— Missionary Spirit—Warm Missionary Spirit of Baxter— (WVote)— Causes of the Spread of Evangelical Religion in Scotland—Diffusion of Scripture; Religious Periodicals—Discussions of Church Courts; Eminent Men raised up; Special Revivals of Religion— The Five Missionary Schemes of the Church—Immense Sale of Works of Practical Theology (Note)—Ascendency of the Evangelical Party in the General Assembly—Happy Effects of the Change—Controversies in which the Church has been, and is engaged; the Voluntary Question—Controversy regarding the Headship of Christ--Probable Design of Providence in connection with the Present Agitations of the Church—Prospects of the Church; in all circumstances will be found the Friend of Knowledge—Freedom—National Happiness--Importance of using the Press on the side of the Church and True Religion. - - - 491

Preface

Tuoven the claims of more pressing avocations forbid the opportunity, even had J the ability, to make profound researches or original remarks, yet the sketches now presented possess the advantage of being, so far as I know, the only work on the subject. Various books have been written, particularly of late, bearing more or less on the Reformed Church of France, particularly Mr. D. Scott’s important work, still in progress, “ On the Suppression of the Reformation in France ;” but they either comprehend only a limited portion of the history, or they present it in its merely external and secular aspects. It is the aim of the following pages to give a view of the entire history of the Protestant Church of France through three centuries, and that chiefly in its spiritual character as a Church of Christ. The absence of the latter is, l apprehend, a great defect in most works on ecclesiastical history. Along with these, f have combined interesting facts in the contemporaneous history of the Church of Scotland, some of them unknown to any, save to those who have had access to the same documents. The reader, therefore, wil! know what he has to expect—not an elaborate historical work—but brief sketches, designed to draw forth the spiritual character of Churches towards which God has exercised not a few remarkable dispensations. The comparison of the history of the two Churches will serve to show the diversity of God’s Providential dealings with his own people.

it appears from the “ Life of Dr. M‘Crie,” that that eminent man, twenty-seven years ago, strongly recommended his not less eminent friend, Dr. Andrew Thomson, to write the History of the Protestant Church of France—among other reasons, because there was no readable book on the subject, and because of the remarkable correspondence, in many points, between the constitution and history of the Church of France and the Church of Scotland. I have not the presumption to imagine, that the following pages have supplied what such an historical writer as Dr. M‘Crie pronounced to be wanting. But the Public have thus the best, and that an unlooked-for testimony, to the fact, that there is a desideratum in Church History to be met; and however defective the present Sketch may be in itself, andeven

16 PREFACE, in the views and wishes of the writer, it is matter of no small satisfaction, that having been drawn accidentally to the study of the Ecclesiastical History of the Reformed Church of France, I should have pursued it in a form which so far accords with the views of the immortal biographer of Knox.

I have an additional motive for the publication, and it is to be found in the present prospects of Popery, both at home and abroad, and the liberalized feeling with which it is regarded by many professed Protestants. Nothing is better fitted, with the Divine blessing, to correct erroneous views of Popery, than to survey its operation in France, and towards the Protestant Church of that country, during the last three hundred years. In the course of this survey, we behold it in all states of society —in peace and in war—under despotism, and in comparative freedom—in ignorance, and in days of civilization and refinement; and we find what experience testifies as to its ability to change for the better in any circumstances.

I make no apology for the frequency with which I give quotations, particularly from the official documents of the Protestant Church. These not only add authority and weight to the facts which they record, but the fine spirit and tone in which they are usually conceived, not unfrequently afford a far more correct impression of the talent of the writers, and religious temper of the Church, than any descriptions of a modern author. I have not always been careful to mark the page or the chapter of the quotation. The most important are given, and I can assure the reader of the accuracy of those which have not been recorded.

My earnest prayer is, that the Great Head of the Church may bless the present humble undertaking for the glory of His own name, and that this work may not only prove interesting to Christians at home, but to Christians in France, and urge on the blessed revival which has so happily begun.

JOHN G. LORIMER.

Guascow, 27th Nov. 1840.

A

PROTESTANT CHURCH OF FRANCE.

CHAPTER I. FROM ITS ORIGIN IN 1559 To 1571

Tue friends of religion are at present much interested in the symptoms of revival which are appearing in the Protestant Church of France, and well may they be so. ‘The influence of that country, with its thirty-two millions of population, and high state of civilization, must be immense throughout Europe. Few centres of Christian influence can be more extensively powerful, and the new life and growth of Popery in various parts of France, render the present revival of the truth the more interesting. In these circumstances, it may not be unseasonable to recall the public attention to the state and character of the Protestant Church, from its origin down to the present day. It is always pleasing to trace the steps of the Great Head of the Church towards his people; and memorials of past mercy are fitted, when gratefully acknowledged, to draw down the Divine blessing, and to suggest plans of present usefulness. My authority for the earlier statements shall be unexceptionable, consisting chiefly of the public acts and decrees of the national councils of the Reformed Church in France, collected by Quick, in his Synodicon, and published in two folio volumes, at London, in 1692. Various other works shall be referred to, particularly ‘¢ Status Eeclesie Gallicane,’’ London, 1676; and, as the history proceeds, a series of rare and important pamphlets, almost inaccessible to the general reader; also, the Rev. Dr. Erskine’s Sketches of Church History. My authority for most of the statements connected with the corresponding history of the Church of Scotland shall be the Acts of the 2

General Assembly, printed and unprinted, and various MS. Records of Synods and Presbyteries, to which I have had he privilege of access. :

Many are imperfectly acquainted with the early history of the Protestant Church of France. It is imagined that it was small and poor, and that its annals contain little to interest the Christian student; but the truth is, it was one of the largest and most glorious Churches of Christendom, supplied an immense host of martyrs, and furnishes the most interesting and valuable instruction to Christians in every age. I can refer only to the more prominent facts. The doctrines of the Reformation were early introduced into France, and, as in other continental countries, the professors of them were not a little indebted to the countenance and support of persons of rank and influence. At a period when the Church of Rome was so completely paramount, it is not easy to see, humanly speaking, how the gospel, or its first profession, could have made progress at all, had not ministers and people been favoured by the powerful. Accordingly, so early as 1520, the sister of Francis I. was a zealous Protestant, while her brother was a bitter persecutor. Fifteen years later, the Scriptures were translated into the French language, by Olivitan, the uncle of the celebrated Calvin, and shortly after, the Psalms of David were turned into verse by one of the popular poets of the day, and set to melodious music. ‘This last undertaking was attended with remarkable success. There had been nothing of the same kind before, and so the whole music of the people was perverted to superstitious and sinful purposes. Now, the national genius was enlisted on the side of truth. ‘* This holy ordinance,”’ says Quick, ‘‘ charmed the ears, hearts, and affections of court and city, town and country. They were sung in the Louvre, as well as in the Pres des Clerks, by the ladies, princes, yea, and by Henry II. himself. This one ordinance alone contributed mightily to the downfall of Popery, and the propagation of the Gospel. It.took so much with the genius of the nation, that all ranks and degrees of men practised it, in the temples, and in their families. No gentleman professing the Reformed Religion would sit down at his table without praising God by singing. Yea, it was an especial part of their morning and evening worship in their several houses, to sing God’s praises.’’ Such offence did this sacred verse and music give to the Popish priests, and so much did they dread its power, that a leading man of their number had the Odes of

Horace translated and set to music as a counteractive. Let us hope that the turning of the Irish Psalms into verse, an honour which has been reserved for the Rev. Dr. McLeod of Glasgow, will-be as extensively useful in displacing vindictive and licentious songs, and conveying a saving knowledge of divine truth, in the most interesting form, to a people not less susceptible of the charms of poetry, nor less deeply sunk in the moral degradation of Popery. About the same period in which the Scriptures were translated into French, the celebrated Institutes of Calvin were published, and extensively circulated. ‘These means, together with the labours of faithful men, were crowned with the divine blessing; and the Gospel made such decided progress, that persecution was awakened in a very virulent form. ‘The king himself assisted at the burning of many martyrs at Paris. These proceedings, as has often been the case in similari nstances, instead of hindering, accelerated the cause they were meant to destroy, and in so important a degree, that in 1559, the first General Assembly of the Protestant Church was held at Paris, in the very face of a hostile court. It is remarkable, that this was the very year before the first General Assembly of the Protestant Church of Scotland was held at Edinburgh, so nearly cotemporaneous was the progress of the Gospel in the two countries. In spite of all the persecution which had been sustained, the following is Quick’s account of the Protestant cause at the time the first Assembly convened at Paris.

‘The holy word of God is duly, truly, and powerfully preached in churches and fields, in ships and houses, in vaults and cellars, in all places where the gospel ministers can have admission and conveniency, and with singular success. Multitudes are convinced and converted, established and edified. Christ rideth out upon the white horse of the ministry, with the sword and bow of the gospel preached, conquering and to conquer. His enemies fall under him, and submit themselves unto him. O the unparalleled success of the plain and zealous sermons of the first reformers! Muititudes flock in like doves into the windows of God’s ark. As innumerable drops of dew fall from the womb of the morning, so hath the Lord Christ the dew of his youth, ‘The Popish churches are drained, the Protestant temples are filled. ‘The priests complain that their altars are neglected; their masses are now indeed solitary. Dagon cannot stand before God’s ark. Children, and persons of riper years, are catechised in the rudiments and principles of the Christian religion, and can give a comfortable account of their faith, a reason of that hope that is in them. By this ordinance do their pious pastors prepare them for communion with the Lord at his holy table. Here they communicate in both kinds, according to the primitive institution of the Sacrament by Jesus Christ himself.”

It would be unjust, however, to the memory of the suffering saints of God, not to be a little more particular as to the early persecutions of the Protestants of France. Clarke, in his Martyrology, gives a short detail, from which it appears that the fire may be said to have been kindled as soon as in 1524. Down to 1560, or in thirty-six years, there were ever and anon cases of martyrdom, in that most dreadful of all forms—burning to death. I have counted eighty-five eases; and, as the historian frequently uses the general terms ‘* several,”’ ‘ divers,’’ we may safely conclude that, before the Protestant Church could boast of any distinct organization, more than a hundred saints had sealed their testimony with their blood. ‘The English martyrologist, John Foxe, particularizes a hundred. This is a much greater number than suffered in Scotland in the same period, and shows how keen and virulent was the hostility from the very first. Indeed, France has ever shown a peculiar appetite for blood. Satan would crush the earliest buddings of the truth, justly apprehensive of what they would grow to. Among the sufferers I may relate, on the authority of M. Savagner, (Histoire de Calvinisme en France,) the case of the six, or rather the thirty-six persons, destroyed in the presence and with the assistance of the king, to whom I have already alluded. Francis I., of France, ranks in history as one of the most heroic and generous of kings, as well as one of the most devoted sons of the Church of Rome.

“On the 21st of January 1535, the procession for public expiation of offences against the holy sacrament issued from the church of St. Germain, bearing the bodies and the relies of all the martyrs preserved in the sanctuaries of Paris: amongst the rest, the beard of St. Louis, and those relics from the holy chapel which had not been exposed since his death. There were many cardinals, bishops, abbes, and other prelates; all the secular colleges—the bishop of Paris bearing the holy sacrament—then followed the king, uncovered, holding a wax candle in his hand; and after him the queen, the princes, the two hundred gentlemen of the court, all the guard, the parliament, the masters of requests, and all the bench of justice—then the ambassadors of foreign states and princes. The procession passed slowly through all the quarters of the city; and, in the six principal places, an altar for the holy sacrament, a scaffold, and a funeral pile, had been previously prepared. At each of these spots six persons were burned alive! amidst immense outcries from the populace, which was so excited, that it attempted to wrest the victims from the executioner, in order to tear them in pieces. The king had ordered those unhappy persons to be tied to an elevated machine, a kind of beam so balanced, that, as it was let down, they were plunged into the flames of the pile, but lifted up again, so as to prolong their agonies; and this repeated, until the cords which bound them being consumed, they fell into the fire. It was so arranged, that the operations of this frightful see-saw should be complete, and the victims fall immediately after the procession and the king reached each station. And then the king, handing his candle to the cardinal of Lorraine, joined his hands, and humbly prostrating himself, implored the Divine mercy on his people, until the victims perished in their horrible tortures. ‘Then the procession advanced, and finally stopping at the Church of St. Genevieve, where the sacrament was deposited on the altar, and mass chanted. After which the king and the princes dined with the bishop of Paris, lean du Bellay; and the king made a speech.” ‘At the very moment of these horrible proceedings,”’ says M. Savagner, ‘‘ Francis I. wrote a letter to the Protestants of Germany, seeking their friendship and alliance, in order to strengthen himself against his great rival, Charles V., in which letter he condescended to the utmost baseness to gain his ends.””