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124
From Here to Forever
issued from the press in Wittenberg, the French New Testament was
published at Meaux. Soon the peasants of Meaux were in possession
of the Holy Scriptures. The laborers in the field, the artisans in the
workship, cheered their daily toil by talking of the precious truths
of the Bible. Though belonging to the humblest class, an unlearned
and hardworking peasantry, the reforming, uplifting power of divine
grace was seen in their lives.
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, but the papal leaders finally
prevailed. The stake was set up. Many witnessed for the truth amid
the flames.
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.
Louis de Berquin was of noble birth, devoted to study, polished in
manners, and of blameless morals. “He crowned all his other virtues
by holding Lutheranism in special abhorrence.” But, providentially
guided to the Bible, he was amazed to find there “not the doctrines
of Rome, but the doctrines of Luther.” He gave himself to the cause
of the gospel.
The Romanists of France thrust him into prison as a heretic, but
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he was set at liberty by the king. For years, Francis wavered between
Rome and the Reformation. Berquin was three times imprisoned
by the papal authorities, only to be released by the monarch, who
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.
Bold Berquin
But Berquin’s zeal only waxed stronger. He determined upon
bolder measures. He would not only stand in defense of the truth,
he would attack error. The most active of his opponents were the
learned monks of the theological department in the University of
Paris, one of the highest ecclesiastical authorities in the nation. From
the writings of these doctors, Berquin drew twelve propositions