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FROM RISE OF PROTESTANTISM IN FRANCE (1510)

FROM RISE OF PROTESTANTISM IN FRANCE (1510) TO PUBLICATION OF THE INSTITUTES (1536)

Chapter 1 THE DOCTOR OF ETAPLES, THE FIRST PROTESTANT TEACHER IN FRANCE

Arrival of a New Actor — Central Position of France — Genius of its People — Tragic Interest of its Protestantism — Louis XII. — Perdam Babylonis Nomen, — The Councils of Pisa and the Lateran Francis I. and Leo X. — Jacques Lefevre — His Birth and Education Appointed to a Chair in the Sorbonne — His Devotions — His Lives of the Saints — A Discovery — A Free Justification — Teaches this Doctrine in the Sorbonne — Agitation among the Professors — A Tempest gathering.

Chapter 2 FAREL, BRICONNET, AND THE EARLY REFORMERS OF FRANCE

A Student from the Dauphinese Alps — William Farel — Enters University of Paris — Becomes a Pupil Of Lefevre — His Doubts — Passes with Lefevre into the New Day — Preaches in the Churches — Retires to Switzerland — William Briconnet, Bishop of Meaux — Briconnet goes on a Mission to Rome — State of the City — His Musings on his Way back — Change at Meaux — The Bible — What Briconnet Saw in it — Begins the Reformation of his Diocese — Characters of Francis I. and Margaret of Valois.

Chapter 3 THE FIRST PROTESTANT CONGREGATION OF FRANCE

A Bright Morning — Sanguine Anticipations of the Protestants — Lefevre Translates the Bible — Bishop of Meaux Circulates it — The Reading of it at Meaux — Reformation of Manners — First Protestant Flock in France — Happy Days — Complaints of the Tavern-keepers — Murmurs of the Monks — The King Incited to set up the Scaffold — Refuses — The "Well of Meaux."

Chapter 4 COMMENCEMENT OF PERSECUTION IN FRANCE

The World's Center — The Kingdoms at War — In the Church, Peace — The Flock at Meaux — Marot's Psalms of David universally Sung in France — The Odes of Horace — Calvin and Church Psalmody — Two Champions of the Darkness, Beda and Duprat — Louisa of Savoy — Her Character — The Trio that Governed France — They Unsheathe the Sword of Persecution — Briconnet's Fall.

Chapter 5 THE FIRST MARTYRS OF FRANCE

The Flock at Meaux — Denis, a "Meaux Heretic" — Visited in Prison by his former Pastor, Briconnet — The Interview — Men Burned and yet they Live — Pavane — Imprisoned for the Gospel — Recants — His Horror of Mind — Anew Confesses Christ — Is Burned — His the First Stake in Paris — Martyrdom of the Hermit of Livry — Leclerc, the Wool-comber — Acts as Pastor — Banished from Meaux — Retires to Metz — Demolishes the Images at the Chapel of Mary — Procession — Astonishment of Processionists — Leclerc Seized — Confesses — His Cruel Death — Bishop Briconnet.

Chapter 6 CALVIN: HIS BIRTH AND EDUCATION

Greater Champions about to Appear — Calvin — His Birth and Lineage — His Appearance and Disposition — His Education — Appointed to a Chaplaincy — The Black Death — Sent to La Marche at Paris — Mathurin Cordier — Friendship between the Young Pupil and his Teacher — Calvin Charmed by the Great Latin Writers — Luther's and Calvin's Services to their respective Tongues — Leaves the School of La Marche.

Chapter 7 CALVIN'S CONVERSION

Calvin in the Montaigu — His Devotions and Studies — Auguries of his Teachers — Calvin still in Darkness — Trebly Armed — Olivetan — Discussions between Olivetan and Calvin — Doubts Awakened — Great Struggles of Soul — The Priests Advise him to Confess — Olivetan sends him to the Bible — Opens the Book — Sees the Cross — Another Obstacle — The "Church" — Sees the Spiritual Glory of the True Church — The Glory of the False Church Vanishes — One of the Great Battles of the World — Victory and its Fruits.

Chapter 8 CALVIN BECOMES A STUDENT OF LAW

Gate of the New Kingdom — Crowds Pressing to Enter — The Few only Able to do so — Lefevre and Farel Sighing for the Conversion of Francis I. — A Greater Conversion — Calvin Refuses to be made a Priest — Chooses the Profession of Law — Goes to Orleans — Pierre de l'Etoile — Calvin becomes his Scholar — Teaching of Etoile on the Duty of the State to Punish Heterodoxy — Calvin among his College Companions — A Victory — Calvin Studies Greek — Melchior Wolmar — Calvin Prepared for his Work as a Commentator — His Last Mental Struggle.

Chapter 9 CALVIN THE EVANGELIST, AND BERQUIN THE MARTYR.

Calvin Abandons the Study of the Law — Goes to Bourges — Bourges under Margaret of Navarre — Its Evangelisation already Commenced — The Citizens entreat Calvin to become their Minister — He begins to act as an Evangelist in Bourges — The Work extends to the Villages and Castles around — The Plottings of the Monks — His Father's Death calls Calvin away — A Martyr, Louis de Berquin — His Youth — His Conversion — His Zeal and Eloquence in Spreading the Gospel — Imprisoned by the Sorbonnists — Set at Liberty by the King — Imprisoned a Second and a Third Time — Set at Liberty — Erasmus' Counsel — Berquin Taxes the Sorbonnists with Heresy — An Image of the Virgin Mutilated — Berquin consigned to the Conciergerie — His Condemnation and Frightful Sentence — Efforts of Budaeus — Berquin on his Way to the Stake — His Attire — His Noble Behaviour — His Death.

Chapter 10 CALVIN AT PARIS, AND FRANCIS NEGOTIATING WITH GERMANY AND ENGLAND.

The Death of the Martyr not the Death of the Cause — Calvin at Noyon — Preaches at Pont l'Eveque — His Audience — How they take his Sermon — An Experiment — Its Lessen — Calvin goes to Paris — Paris a Focus of Literary Light — The Students at the University — Their Debates — Calvin to Polemics adds Piety — He Evangelises in Paris — Powers of the World — Spain and France kept Divided — How and Why — The Schmalkald League holds the Balance of Power — Francis I. approaches the German Protestants — Failure of the Negotiation — Francis turns to Henry VIII. — Interview between Francis and Henry at Boulogne — Fetes — League between the Kings of France and England — Francis's Great Error

Chapter 11 THE GOSPEL PREACHED IN PARIS — A MARTYR.

Margaret of Navarre — Her Hopes — Resolves to have the Gospel Preached in France — The City Churches not to be had — Opens a Private Chapel in the Louvre — A Large and Brilliant Assembly convenes — The Preachers — Paris Penitent and Reforming — Agitation in the Sorbonne — The Sorbonnists apply to the King — The Monks occupy the Pulpits — They Threaten the King — Beda Banished — Excitement in Paris — The Populace Remain with Rome — The Crisis of France — The Dominican Friar, Laurent de la Croix — His Conversion — Preaches in France — Apprehended and conducted to Paris — His Torture — His Condemnation — His Behaviour at the Stake — France makes her Choice: she will Abide with Rome.

Chapter 12 CALVIN'S FLIGHT FROM PARIS.

Out of Paris comes the Reformer — The Contrasts of History — Calvin's Interview with the Queen of Navarre — Nicholas Cop, Rector of the Sorbonne — An Inaugural Discourse — Calvin Writes and Cop Delivers it — The Gospel in Disguise — Rage of the Sorbonne — Cop flies to Basle — The Officers on their way to Arrest Calvin — Calvin is let down by the Window — Escapes from Paris disguised as a Vine-Dresser — Arrives in Angouleme — Received at the Mansion of Du Tillet — Here projects the Institutes — Interview with Lefevre — Lefevre's Prediction

Chapter 13 FIRST PROTESTANT ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER IN FRANCE

Calvin goes to Poictiers – Its Society – Calvin draws Disciples round him – Re-unions – The Gardens of the Basses Treilles – The Abbot Ponthus – Calvin's Grotto – First Dispensation of the Lord's Supper in France – Formation of a Protestant Congregation – Home Mission Scheme for the Evangelisation of France – The Three First Missionaries – Their Labors and Deaths – Calvin Leaves Poictiers – The Church of Poictiers – Present State and Aspect of Poictiers.

Chapter 14 CATHERINE DE MEDICI.

St. Paul – Calvin – Desire to Labor in Paris – Driven from this Field – Francis I. Intrigues to Outmanoeuvre Charles V. – Offers the Hand of his Second Son to the Pope's Niece – Joy of Clement VII. – The Marriage Agreed on – Catherine de Medici – Rise of the House of Medici – Cosmo I. – His Patronage of Letters and Scholars – Fiesole – Descendants of Cosmo – Clement VII. – Birth of Catherine de Medici – Exposed to Danger – Lives to Mount the Throne of France – Catherine as a Girl – Her Fascination – Her Tastes – Her Morals – Her Love of Power; etc.

Chapter 15 MARRIAGE OF HENRY OF FRANCE TO CATHERINE DE MEDICI.

The Pope sets Sail – Coasts along to France – Meets Francis I. at Marseilles – The Second Son of the King of France Married to Catherine de Medici – Her Promised Dowry – The Marriage Festivities – Auguries – Clement's Return Voyage – His Reflections – His Dream of a New Era – His Dream to be Read Backwards – His Troubles – His Death – Catherine Enters France as Calvin is Driven Out – Retrogression of Protestantism – Death and Catherine de Medici – Death's Five Visits to the Palace – Each Visit Assists Catherine in her Ascent to Power – Her Crimes – She Gains no Real Success.

Chapter 16 MELANCTHON'S PLAN FOR UNITING WITTEMBERG AND ROME.

The Laborers Scattered – The Cause Advances – The Dread it Inspires – Calvin and Catherine – A Contrast – The Keys and the Fleur-de-Lis – The Doublings of Francis – Agreement between Francis and Philip of Hesse at Bar-le-Duc – Campaign – Wurtemberg Restored to Christopher – Francis I's Project for Uniting Lutheranism and Romanism – Du Bellay's Negotiations with Bucer – Melancthon Sketches a Basis of Union – Bucer and Hedio add their Opinion – The Messenger Returns with the Paper to Paris – Sensation – Council at the Louvre – Plan Discussed – An Evangelical Pope.

Chapter 17 PLAN OF FRANCIS I. FOR COMBINING LUTHERANISM AND ROMANISM.

End of Conference – Francis I, takes the Matter into his own Hand – Concocts a New Basis of Union – Sends Copies to Germany, to the Sorbonne and the Vatican – Amazement of the Protestants – Alarm of the Sorbonnists – They send a Deputation to the King – What they Say of Lutheranism – Indignation at the Vatican – These Projects of Union utterly Chimerical – Excuse of the Protestants of the Sixteenth Century – Their Stand-point Different from Ours – Storms that have Shaken the World, but Cleared the Air.

Chapter 18 FIRST DISCIPLES OF THE GOSPEL IN PARIS.

Calvin now the Center of the Movement – Shall he enter Priest's Orders? – Hazard of a Wrong Choice – He walks by Faith – Visits Noyon – Renounces all his Preferments in the Romish Church – Sells his Patrimonial Inheritance – Goes to Paris – Meets Servetus – His Opinions – Challenges Calvin to a Controversy – Servetus does not Keep his Challenge – State of things at Paris – Beda – More Ferocious than ever – The Times Uncertain – Disciples in Paris – Bartholemew Millon – His Deformity – Conversion – Zeal for the Gospel – Du Bourg, the Draper – Valeton, of Nantes – Le Compte – Giulio Camillo – Poille, the Bricklayer – Other Disciples – Pantheists – Calvin's Forecastings – Calvin quits Paris and goes to Strasburg.

Chapter 19 THE NIGHT OF THE PLACARDS.

Inconstancy of Francis – Two Parties in the young French Church: the Temporisers and the Scripturalists – The Policy advocated by each – Their Differences submitted to Farel – The Judgment of the Swiss Pastors – The Placard – Terrific Denunciation of the Mass – Return of the Messenger – Shall the Placards be Published? – Two Opinions – Majority for Publication – The Kingdom Placarded in One Night – The Morning – Surprise and Horror – Placard on the Door of the Royal Bed-chamber – Wrath of the King.

Chapter 20 MARTYRS AND EXILES.

Plan of Morin. – The Betrayer – Procession of Corpus Christi – Terror of Paris – Imprisonment of the Protestants – Atrocious Designs attributed to them – Nemesis – Sentence of the Disciples – Execution of Bartholomew Millon – Burning of Du Bourg – Death of Poille – His Tortures – General Terror – Flight of Numbers – Refugees of Rank – Queen of Navarre – Her Preachers – All Ranks Flee – What France might have been, had she retained these Men – Prodigious Folly.

Chapter 21 OTHER AND MORE DREADFUL MARTYRDOMS.

A Great Purgation Resolved on – Preparations – Procession – The Four Mendicants – Relics: the Head of St. Louis; the True Cross, etc. – Living Dignitaries – The Host – The King on Foot – His Penitence – Of what Sins does he Repent? – The Queen – Ambassadors, Nobles, etc. – Homage of the Citizens – High Mass in Notre Dame – Speech of the King – The Oath of the King – Return of Procession – Apparatus of Torture – Martyrdom of Nicholas Valeton – More Scaffolds and Victims – The King and People's Satisfaction – An Ominous Day in the Calendar of France – The 21st of January.

Chapter 22 BASLE AND THE "INSTITUTES."

Glory of the Sufferers – Francis I. again turns to the German Protestants – They Shrink back – His Doublings – New Persecuting Edicts – Departure of the Queen of Navarre from Paris – New Day to Bearn – Calvin – Strasburg – Calvin arrives there – Bucer, Capito, etc. – Calvin Dislikes their Narrowness – Goes on to Basle – Basle – Its Situation and Environs – Soothing Effect on Calvin's Mind – His Interview with Erasmus – Erasmus "Lays the Egg" – Terrified at what Comes of it – Draws back – Calvin's Enthusiasm – Erasmus' Prophecy – Catherine Klein – First Sketch of the Institutes–What led Calvin to undertake the Work – Its Sublimity, but Onerousness.

Chapter 23 THE "INSTITUTES."

Calvin Discards the Aristotelian Method – How a True Science of Astronomy is Formed – Calvin Proceeds in the same way in Constructing his Theology – Induction – Christ Himself sets the Example of the Inductive Method – Calvin goes to the Field of Scripture – His Pioneers – The Schoolmen – Melanchthon – Zwingli – The Augsburg Confession – Calvin's System more Complete – Two Tremendous Facts – First Edition of the Institutes – Successive Editions – The Creed its Model – Enumeration of its Principal Themes-God the Sole Fountain of all things – Christ the One Source of Redemption and Salvation – The Spirit the One Agent in the Application of Redemption – The Church – Her Worship and Government.

Chapter 24 CALVIN ON PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION.

Calvin's Views on the Affirmative Side – God as the Author of all things Ordains all that is to come to pass – The Means equally with the End comprehended in the Decree – As Sovereign, God Executes all that comes to pass – Calvin's Views on the Negative Side – Man a Free Agent – Man an Accountable Being – Calvin maintained side by side God's Eternal Ordination and Man's Freedom of Action – Cannot Reconcile the Two – Liberty and Necessity – Tremendous Difficulties confessed to Attach to Both Theories – Explanations – Locke and Sir William Hamilton – Growth of the Institutes.

Chapter 25 CALVIN'S APPEAL TO FRANCIS I.

Enthusiasm evoked by the appearance of the Institutes–Marshals the Reformed into One Host – Beauty of the Style of the Institutes–Opinions expressed on it by Scaliger, Sir William Hamilton, Principal Cunningham, M. Nisard – The Institutes an Apology for the Reformed – In scathing Indignation comparable to Tacitus – Home-thrusts – He Addresses the King of France – Pleads for his Brethren – They Suffer for the Gospel – Cannot Abandon it – Offer themselves to Death – A Warning – Grandeur of the Appeal – Did Francis ever Read this Appeal?