1 THE HUGUENOTS OR, REFORMED FRENCH CHURCH. THEIR PRINCIPLES DELINEATED; THEIR CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED; THEIR SUFFERINGS AND SUCCESSES RE- CORDED. IN THREE PARTS: I. THE HUGUENOT IN FRANCE, AT HOME. II. THE HUGUENOT DISPERSED IN EUROPE. III. THE HUGUENOT AT HOME IN AMERICA. WITH AN APPENDIX. WILLIAM HENRY FOOTE. D. D, PASTOR OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ROMNEY, WEST VIRGINIA ; Author of the “Sketches of Virginia and North Carolina," Biographical and Historical, illustrating the "Rise and Progress of the Presbyterian Church in America." RICHMOND: PRESBYTERIAN COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION. 2 EDITOR'S NOTICE. While this hook was passing through the process of stereotyping, under the supervision of the venerable author, he was called from the toils and labors of the Church on earth to the glories and joys of the upper sanctuary. This sad event, which occurred on the 22nd of last November, delayed the publication of this inter- esting volume for several months. It is now presented to the public in the belief that it will be esteemed a val- uable addition to our ecclesiastical literature, and that it will add to the reputation and will perpetuate the influence of its distinguished and lamented author. September 1, 1870. E. T. B. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by CHARLES GENNET, in trust, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. 3 DEDICATION. To those who love the development of great principles; to those who admire patient continuance in well-doing and endurance of evil; TO ALL WHO ARE IN TROUBLE OR SORROW, this volume, written in times of great personal trouble and national distress, is respectfully dedicated BY THE AUTHOR, WILLIAM HENRY FOOTE, Romney, Hampshire County, West Virginia. i CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. LITERATURE AND RELIGION IN FRANCE PREVIOUSLY TO A. D. 1526. The commencement of the revival of Literature and vital piety in France, Lefevre and his pupil Farell. The doctrine of Faith a subject of discus- sion in France during the dark ages. The persecution that preceded the revival of Literature. Francis I. comes to the crown. Lefevre teaches Greek and explains the New Testament. The position of Louis XII in regard to the Pope. The change agreed upon by Francis, making the Pope's decisions superior to the decrees of Councils. Francis gains the disposal of the income of the Church property. Charles V., of Spain, becomes Emperor of Germany, and aspires to be Pope of Rome. The two reasons of Luther that gained the attention of the German Princes. Francis I. encourages literature for the glory of his kingdom. His sister Margaret becomes a convert to the literature and religious doctrines of the Reformers. Her character and influence, her aunt Philiberta becomes a convert. Briconnet, Bishop of Meaux, favours the new literature. Luther proposes to remove to France. Lefevre translates the Gospels into French. Other parts of the New Testament translated and widely circulated. A copy sent to the King. Portions of the Bible translated for the King's mother. The Romish priesthood ex- press great alarm at the efforts for Reformation. Objections made to two doctrines of the Reformers, viz: Salvation by Faith alone, and the suf- ficiency of the Scriptures without the decrees of councils. Francis fond of discussions of a literary nature, and will not persecute Lefevre for saying there were three Marys. Francis becomes alarmed about the doc- trines of the Reformation. He permits some in humble life to be tried for their religious belief, and to be burned. Le Clerc burned. Berquin arrested, and set at liberty by the King. The nobles to have the privi- lege of thought and speech. The Bishop of Meaux tried and recants. The learned men retire to Switzerland and Germany. The reception of Farel. The city of Lyons receives the Reformers. Varigus and Anthony Blet. Anthony Papillon. The Reformers received in Grenoble. Pas- tor Sebville. Francis annoyed by the Reformed doctrines. Affected by the death of a young daughter. The battle of Pavia in its effects on the (1) ii ii CONTENTS. Reformation in France. Margaret sends a copy of the Epistles to Fran- cis while in confinement. The Queen Regent writes to the Pope— prom- ises him to follow his direction about the Reformers. Beda bitter and active against the Reformation. The Queen writes to the Sorbonne. The Pope orders the introduction of the Inquisition into France. The work of persecution commences. Berquin again arrested. The Bishop of Meaux again arrested, condemned and does penance. Lefevre flies to Straasburg. Beda assails Erasmus. Pastor Shuck, in Lorraine, is burned. Pavanne a youth is burned in Paris. The hermit of Livry burned. Persecutions in the south of France - - - - - - 13 CHAPTER IL FROM THE YEAR 1526 TO THE YEAR 1550. The interest attached to the early part of the sixteenth century. The true foundation of Literature, Science and Religion. Charles V., Henry VIII., of England, and Francis I. cotemporaries. Their separate influ- ence on the Reformation. The contrast of Francis I. and his sister Mar- garet. Francis, to win the confidence of the Church of Rome, proposes an alliance. The negotiation protracted. The marriage takes place. Treaty with the Duke of Wurtemburg. Denis dc Reux and Berquin burned. The noble death of Berquin. Margaret, now Queen of Na- varre, publishes the Mirror of the Soul. The Sorbonne condemns it. Francis interposes in her behalf. The placards set up in the palace — their effect on Francis and his son Henry. Margaret flies to her domin- ions. The purgation of the city determined upon. The numerous fires and victims. The grand procession, and the victims. The declaration of Francis about his hand. The persecution at Meaux— and of the Wal- denses. twenty-two of their villages being burnt to ashes. He regrets his treatment of the Waldenses. His character and views of Religion. increase of the Reformed. Henry II of France, his inconsistency in as- sisting the Protestants abroad, and persecuting the Reformers in France. The martyrdom of five young men at Lyons. Their long confinement and heroic death, and its great effect upon the bystanders. Catherine de Medici makes her husband more bitter against the Reformers. His desire to see the death of Dubourg. His death. His last effort with his parliament to sanction the Inquisition in France. The Council of Trent. Four events favour the formation of the Reformed French Church; Ist, The influences connected with the Duchess of Ferrara; 2nd. Those clustering around John Calvin; 3d. Those connected with Clement Marot; and 4th, Those connected with the Protestant churches in Germany. The Duchess of Ferarra protects the Reformers. Her message to the Duke of Giave. The labors of Calvin in Geneva. Clem- ent Marot, the poet, protected by Margaret of Navarre. Persuaded to translate some of the Psalms of David into French verse. Various edi- tions of these psalms — their great popularity. The favourite psalms of the royal family. The efforts of the licentious to introduce other poetry. iii CONTENTS. iii The effect of singing the psalms of Marot and Beza. It becomes a part of the public worship of the Reformed. Effects of the treaty of Passau and Diet of Augsburg. Religion not free in Germany or England or Switzerland or Holland. A very general agreement in doctrine in these churches. The advantage of the Church in France by not being sup- ported by the King or parliaments. The steps by which the Reformed French Church was formed. The first places of preaching. The neces- sity for association in worship and doctrine and discipline. The admin- istration of the ordinances. Consistories formed. The order of public worship, the confession of sin, the forms of baptism, of communion, of marriage, and of the burial of the dead admitted but not commanded. The repetition of the Lord's prayer and the ten commandments. The formation of Colloquies, Provincial Synods, and lastly the formatian of the National Synod. Parliament refuses to introduce the Inquisition at the request of Henry II. Cardinal Lorraine on his own responsibility introduces it in 1558. The Reformed complete their church organization the next year, 1559. Formation of the Book of Discipline, first in forty sections, afterwards increased to two hundred and twenty. The confes- sion of the Reformed French a model to Scotland and to Holland. The peculiar position and honor of the Reformed French Churchy - - 33 CHAPTER III. FROM THB FORMATION OF THE NATIONAL SYNOD, 1559, TO ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, 1572. The surprise caused by the treaty of Chateau Cambresis. The secret arti- cles for the destruction of those differing from the church of Rome. Marriage of the daughters of Henry II. and his consequent death. Fran- cis II. succeeds to the crown in his sixteenth year. His mother, Cather- ine de Medici, regent. Two branches of the descendents of St. Louis claim the regency and the crown in event of failure of the Valois line, and form two parties, the Bourbon and the Guise. The Bourbons favour the Reformed, the Guises are supported by Rome. The compara- tive strength of the parties. Where the greatest strength of the Re- formed lay. The principles that governed Catherine de Medici. Politi- cal meeting at Vendome, 1560. The embassy to the King. The King of Navarre beguiled. An appeal to the Reformed to form a political party in favour of the Bourbon line. A petition for toleration. The embassy betrayed and a multitude of people slain. Reformer, Huguenot, and rebel become synonymous. The chancellor Michael Lc Hospital on Tol- eration. A political assembly at Fontainbleau, 1560, to which the Admi- ral presents a petition from Normandy, and asked for toleration.