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zealously in his own diocese to instruct both the clergy and the people。
Ignorant and immoral priests were removed； and； so far as possible； replaced
by men of learning and piety。 The bishop greatly desired that his people
might have access to the word of God for themselves； and this was soon
accomplished。 Lefevre undertook the translation of the New Testament； and at
the very time when Luther's German Bible was issuing from the press in
Wittenberg； the French New Testament was published at Meaux。 The bishop
spared no labor or expense to circulate it in his parishes； and soon the
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peasants of Meaux were in possession of the Holy Scriptures。
As travelers perishing from thirst welcome with joy a living water spring；
so did these souls receive the message of heaven。 The laborers in the field；
the artisans in the workshop； cheered their daily toil by talking of the
precious truths of the Bible。 At evening； instead of resorting to the
wine…shops； they assembled in one another's homes to read God's word and
join in prayer and praise。 A great change was soon manifest in these
communities。 Though belonging to the humblest class； an unlearned and
hard…working peasantry； the reforming； uplifting power of divine grace was
seen in their lives。 Humble； loving； and holy； they stood as witnesses to
what the gospel will accomplish for those who receive it in sincerity。
The light kindled at Meaux shed its beams afar。 Every day the number of
converts was increasing。 The rage of the hierarchy was for a time held in
check by the king； who despised the narrow bigotry of the monks； but the
papal leaders finally prevailed。 Now the stake was set up。 The bishop of
Meaux； forced to choose between the fire and recantation； accepted the
easier path； but notwithstanding the leader's fall； his flock remained
steadfast。 Many witnessed for the truth amid the flames。 By their courage
and fidelity at the stake； these humble Christians spoke to thousands who in
days of peace had never heard their testimony。
It was not alone the humble and the poor that amid suffering and scorn dared
to bear witness for Christ。 In the lordly halls of the castle and the palace
there were kingly souls by whom truth was valued above wealth or rank or
even life。 Kingly armor concealed a loftier and more steadfast spirit than
did the bishop's robe and miter。 Louis de Berquin was of noble birth。 A
brave and courtly knight； he was devoted to study； polished in manners； and
of blameless morals。 〃He was；〃 says a writer； 〃a great follower of the
papistical constitutions； and a great hearer of masses and sermons； 。 。 。
and he crowned all his other virtues by holding Lutheranism in
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special abhorrence。〃 But； like so many others； providentially guided to the
Bible； he was amazed to find there； 〃not the doctrines of Rome； but the
doctrines of Luther。〃Wylie； b。 13； ch。 9。 Henceforth he gave himself with
entire devotion to the cause of the gospel。
〃The most learned of the nobles of France；〃 his genius and eloquence； his
indomitable courage and heroic zeal； and his influence at court；for he was
a favorite with the king； caused him to be regarded by many as one
destined to be the Reformer of his country。 Said Beza： 〃Berquin would have
been a second Luther； had he found in Francis I a second elector。〃 〃He is
worse than Luther；〃 cried the papists。Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 9。 More dreaded he
was indeed by the Romanists of France。 They thrust him into prison as a
heretic； but he was set at liberty by the king。 For years the struggle
continued。 Francis； wavering between Rome and the Reformation； alternately
tolerated and restrained the fierce zeal of the monks。 Berquin was three
times imprisoned by the papal authorities； only to be released by the
monarch； who； in admiration of his genius and his nobility of character；
refused to sacrifice him to the malice of the hierarchy。
Berquin was repeatedly warned of the danger that threatened him in France；
and urged to follow the steps of those who had found safety in voluntary
exile。 The timid and time…serving Erasmus； who with all the splendor of his
scholarship failed of that moral greatness which holds life and honor
subservient to truth； wrote to Berquin： 〃Ask to be sent as ambassador to
some foreign country； go and travel in Germany。 You know Beda and such as
hehe is a thousand…headed monster； darting venom on every side。 Your
enemies are named legion。 Were your cause better than that of Jesus Christ；
they will not let you go till they have miserably destroyed you。 Do not
trust too much to the king's protection。 At all events； do not compromise me
with the faculty of theology。〃Ibid。； b。 13； ch。 9。
But as dangers thickened； Berquin's zeal only waxed the stronger。 So far
from adopting the politic and self…serving
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counsel of Erasmus； he determined upon still bolder measures。 He would not
only stand in defense of the truth； but he would attack error。 The charge of
heresy which the Romanists were seeking to fasten upon him； he would rivet
upon them。 The most active and bitter of his opponents were the learned
doctors and monks of the theological department in the great University of
Paris； one of the highest ecclesiastical authorities both in the city and
the nation。 From the writings of these doctors； Berquin drew twelve
propositions which he publicly declared to be 〃opposed to the Bible； and
heretical；〃 and he appealed to the king to act as judge in the controversy。
The monarch； not loath to bring into contrast the power and acuteness of the
opposing champions； and glad of an opportunity of humbling the pride of
these haughty monks； bade the Romanists defend their cause by the Bible。
This weapon； they well knew； would avail them little； imprisonment； torture；
and the stake were arms which they better understood how to wield。 Now the
tables were turned； and they saw themselves about to fall into the pit into
which they had hoped to plunge Berquin。 In amazement they looked about them
for some way of escape。
〃Just at that time an image of the Virgin at the corner of one of the
streets； was mutilated。〃 There was great excitement in the city。 Crowds of
people flocked to the place； with expressions of mourning and indignation。
The king also was deeply moved。 Here was an advantage which the monks could
turn to good account； and they were quick to improve it。 〃These are the
fruits of the doctrines of Berquin；〃 they cried。 〃All is about to be
overthrownreligion； the laws； the throne itselfby this Lutheran
conspiracy。〃Ibid。； b。
13； ch。 9。
Again Berquin was apprehended。 The king withdrew from Paris； and the monks
were thus left free to work their will。 The Reformer was tried and condemned
to die； and lest Francis should even yet interpose to save him； the sentence
was executed on the very day it was pronounced。 At noon
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Berquin was conducted to the place of death。 An immense throng gathered to
witness the event； and there were many who saw with astonishment and
misgiving that the victim had bee