IN the early part of the sixteenth century, when Henry VIII. sat upon the throne of England, and the Pope made his power felt all over Europe, France was in a most unhappy state.
We who live in there happy peaceful days have no idea what the people had to endure in those dark days of popery, when all the powers of darkness seemed loosed to persecute the people of God, until they were ready to cry out with a loud voice, " How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?"
It would be useless for us to read these stories if we did not learn some lesson from them, and I think we shall find from this story that God is above everything, and His power above all earthly power.
Martin Luther, who was born in Germany in the year 1473, was the man who first resisted the Pope's power. His influence soon spread to France.
The Reformation in France began in the city of Meaux, through the preaching of a very wise man named Jacques Lefèvre. He told the people it was of no use for them to give money to the church, for that would not save their souls, but they must give their hearts to God. Do any of you little readers remember a verse where God tells us to give Him our hearts?
The art of printing greatly helped the work of the Reformation. It would have been impossible to distribute the news among the people if there had not been books, although they were very different from the books we have; they had such funny heavy-looking letters, few people can read them now without difficulty.
Several books were printed before the Bible, one was a translation of the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The Princess Marguerite, sister of the king, Francis I., was at one time one of the gavest and most fashionable ladies in France, she set all the fashions, and was always at the balls and parties given at court. Indeed, she spent her time in pleasure, but when she learned that all down here is vanity, she devoted her time to do what she could to spread the gospel, and wrote a book to show people how wicked every one is by nature, and how nothing but the Blood of Jesus can wash away our sins.
The Bible was first printed in France in 1535, and several other Books; but as soon as the reformers began to preach, the French king Francis L at once gave orders to persecute the heretics, as he called them. All those who were suspected of holding the reformed views were arrested, and many were burnt at the stake rather than give up what was dearer to them than Life.
Francis I. was so bitter against the reformers that he declared if one of his own children were so to defile himself by such heresy, he would sacrifice him to God. Is it not sad and strange to see how hard and unnatural even a father's heart will become when Satan hardens the heart against God?
One of the victims was Nicholas Valentin; thinking to increase his punishment, the wood which was to burn him was to be taken from his own house. The hearts of these men seem to have been as hard as king Pharaoh's when he so cruelly persecuted the children of Israel. But the Lord's arm, which delivered the Israelites, is still strong and mighty to cave.