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The Great Controversy 1888
two, and bearing lighted torches. The four orders of friars followed,
each in its own peculiar dress. Then came a vast collection of famous
relics. Following these rode lordly ecclesiastics in their purple and
scarlet robes and jeweled adornings, a gorgeous and glittering array.
The host was borne under a splendid canopy, supported by four
princes of highest rank. After them walked the monarch, divested of
his crown and royal robe, with uncovered head and downcast eyes,
and bearing in his hand a lighted taper. Thus the king of France
appeared publicly as a penitent. At every altar he bowed down in
humiliation, not for the vices that defiled his soul, not the innocent
blood that stained his hands, but for the deadly sin of his subjects who
had dared to condemn the mass. Following him came the queen and
the dignitaries of State also walking two and two, each with a lighted
torch.
As a part of the services of the day, the monarch himself addressed
the high officials of the kingdom in the great hall of the bishop’s palace.
With a sorrowful countenance he appeared before them, and in words
of moving eloquence bewailed the “crime, the blasphemy, the day of
sorrow and disgrace,” that had come upon the nation. And he called
upon every loyal subject to aid in the extirpation of the pestilent heresy
that threatened France with ruin. “As true, Messieurs, as I am your
king,” he said, “if I knew one of my own limbs spotted or infected
with this detestable rottenness, I would give it to you to cut off.... And,
further, if I saw one of my children defiled by it, I would not spare
him.... I would deliver him up myself, and would sacrifice him to
God.” Tears choked his utterance, and the whole assembly wept, with
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one accord exclaiming, “We will live and die in the Catholic religion.”
Terrible had become the darkness of the nation that had rejected
the light of truth. “The grace that bringeth salvation” had appeared;
but France, after beholding its power and holiness, after thousands
had been drawn by its divine beauty, after cities and hamlets had been
illuminated by its radiance, had turned away, choosing darkness rather
than light. They had put from them the heavenly gift, when it was
offered them. They had called evil good, and good evil, till they had
fallen victims to their willful self-deception. Now, though they might
actually believe that they were doing God service in persecuting his
people, yet their sincerity did not render them guiltless. The light that