reformed faith . The king himself , and the queen mother , appeared for a time to regard it with favour , and with high hopes the Reformers looked forward to the time when France should be won to the gospel .
But their hopes were not to be realized . Trial and persecution awaited the disciples of Christ . This , however , was mercifully veiled from their eyes . A time of peace intervened , that they might gain strength to meet the tempest ; and the Reformation made rapid progress . The bishop of Meaux laboured 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 labour or expense to circulate it in his parishes , and soon the peasants of Meaux were in possession of the Holy Scriptures .
As travellers perishing from thirst welcome with joy a living water spring , so did these souls receive the message of heaven . The labourers 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 wineshops , 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 armour concealed a loftier and more steadfast spirit than did the bishop ' s robe and mitre . 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 special abhorrence ." But , like so
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