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The Great Controversy 1888
her visitation, nor the things which belonged unto her peace. For
two years the Word of God was preached in the capital; but while
there were many who accepted the gospel, the majority of the people
rejected it. Francis had made a show of toleration, merely to serve his
own purposes, and the papists succeeded in regaining the ascendency.
Again the churches were closed, and the stake was set up.
Calvin was still in Paris, preparing himself by study, meditation,
and prayer, for his future labors, and continuing to spread the light. At
last, however, suspicion fastened upon him. The authorities determined
to bring him to the flames. Regarding himself as secure in his seclusion,
he had no thought of danger, when friends came hurrying to his room
with the news that officers were on their way to arrest him. At the
instant a loud knocking was heard at the outer entrance. There was
not a moment to be lost. Some of his friends detained the officers
at the door, while others assisted the reformer to let himself down
from a window, and he rapidly made his way to the outskirts of the
city. Finding shelter in the cottage of a laborer who was a friend to
the reform, he disguised himself in the garments of his host, and,
shouldering a hoe, started on his journey. Traveling southward he
again found refuge in the dominions of Margaret.
Here for a few months he remained, safe under the protection of
powerful friends, and engaged, as before, in study. But his heart was
set upon the evangelization of France, and he could not long remain
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inactive. As soon as the storm had somewhat abated, he sought a new
field of labor in Poitiers, where was a university, and where already the
new opinions had found favor. Persons of all classes gladly listened to
the gospel. There was no public preaching, but in the home of the chief
magistrate, in his own lodgings, and sometimes in a public garden,
Calvin opened the words of eternal life to those who desired to listen.
After a time, as the number of hearers increased, it was thought safer
to assemble outside the city. A cave in the side of a deep and narrow
gorge, where trees and overhanging rocks made the seclusion still
more complete, was chosen as the place of meeting. Little companies,
leaving the city by different routes, found their way hither. In this
retired spot the Bible was read and explained. Here the Lord’s supper
was celebrated for the first time by the Protestants of France. From
this little church several faithful evangelists were sent out.