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128
From Here to Forever
not yet fully sided with Rome against the Reformation. Margaret
resolved that the reformed faith should be preached in Paris. She
ordered a Protestant minister to preach in the churches. This be-
ing forbidden by the papal dignitaries, the princess threw open the
palace. It was announced that every day a sermon would be preached,
and the people were invited to attend. Thousands assembled every
day.
The king ordered that two of the churches of Paris should be
opened. Never had the city been so moved by the Word of God.
Temperance, purity, order, and industry were taking the place of
drunkenness, licentiousness, strife, and idleness. While many ac-
cepted the gospel, the majority of the people rejected it. The papists
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succeeded in regaining the ascendancy. Again the churches were
closed, and the stake was set up.
Calvin was still in Paris. At last the authorities determined to
bring him to the flames. 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 that instant a loud knocking was heard at the
outer entrance. There was not a moment to be lost. 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
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.
Calvin could not long remain inactive. As soon as the storm had
somewhat abated, he sought a new field of labor in Poitiers, where
already the new opinions had found favor. Persons of all classes
gladly listened to the gospel. As the number of hearers increased, it
was thought safer to assemble outside the city. A cave where trees
and overhanging rocks made the seclusion complete was chosen as
the place of meeting. 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.
Once more Calvin returned to Paris, but he found almost every
door of labor closed. He at last determined to depart to Germany.
Scarcely had he left France when a storm burst over the Protestants.