The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 163

The European Union in Prophecy
saints, in company with Lefevre making the round of the churches of Paris,
worshipping at the altars, and adorning with gifts the holy shrines. But these
observances could not bring peace of soul. Conviction of sin fastened upon him, which
all the acts of penance that he practiced failed to banish. As to a voice from heaven he
listened to the Reformer's words: "Salvation is of grace." "The Innocent One is
condemned, and the criminal is acquitted." "It is the cross of Christ alone that openeth
the gates of heaven, and shutteth the gates of hell." -- Ibid., b. 13, ch. 2.
Farel joyfully accepted the truth. By a conversion like that of Paul he turned
from the bondage of tradition to the liberty of the sons of God. "Instead of the
murderous heart of a ravening wolf," he came back, he says, "quietly like a meek and
harmless lamb, having his heart entirely withdrawn from the pope, and given to Jesus
Christ."--D'Aubigne, b. 12, ch. 3. While Lefevre continued to spread the light among
his students, Farel, as zealous in the cause of Christ as he had been in that of the
pope, went forth to declare the truth in public. A dignitary of the church, the bishop
of Meaux, soon after united with them. Other teachers who ranked high for their
ability and learning joined in proclaiming the gospel, and it won adherents among all
classes, from the homes of artisans and peasants to the palace of the king. The sister
of Francis I, then the reigning monarch, accepted the reformed faith. The king himself,
and the queen mother, appeared for a time to regard it with favor, 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 labored 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 peasants of
Meaux were in possession of the Holy Scriptures.
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