Theodore de Bèze said in his day to King Henry IV.: “My desire is, that Frenchmen should love one another.” This wish of the venerable Reformer is that of all Protestants, and truly, the circumstances which surround us, render it now more than ever an imperative duty. Not that we partake of the discouragement of many estimable men; we confide in the love of God, in the power of His Spirit, in the progress of the human race. Where others discover the seeds of decay, we behold the beginnings of a new and higher life. But the transition will be wearisome, the success difficult; and to secure a happier lot, there must be the full concurrence of all sincere Christians and all good citizens. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. Importance of the Reformation.—Corruption of the Catholic doctrine.—Vices of the discipline.—Traffic in indulgences.—Disorders of the clergy.—Protestations.—Renewal of letters.—The papacy. —Councils.—Martin Luther.—Glance at his teaching, his life, and his labours.—Ulrich Zwinglius.—His character and influence.—Progress of Reformation in Europe.—_Page 1-15._ BOOK THE FIRST. FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION IN FRANCE TO THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE OF POISSY. (1521-1561.) I. Preaching of the Reformation at Meaux.—Lefevre d’Etaples.—Guillaume Farel.—Bishop Briçonnet.—Zeal and success of the new preachers.—_Page 17-20._ II. First persecutions.—The Sorbonne.—The Parliaments.—The court. —Condemnation of Jean Leclerc.—Execution of Jacques Pavannes.—Louis Berquin.—His courage, struggles, and death.—_Page 20-27._ III. Farel in Dauphiny.—Progress of the Reformation in France.—Martyrdom of Jean Caturce at Toulouse.—The history of the monk François Lambert.—Marguérite de Valois and Francis I.—_Page 27-33._ IV. The Reformation at Paris.—Affair of the placards.—Growing persecutions.—Generalissimo procession.—Frightful executions. —Marguérite de Valois in Béarn.—_Page 33-38._ V. Jean Calvin.—His early studies.—Preachings in Poitou and Saintonge. —The book of the Institution.—Calvin at Geneva.—His character.—The intolerance with which he is reproached.—Michel Servet.—Great labours of Calvin.—_Page 38-46._ VI. Persecutions against the Vaudois in Provence.—Origin and history of this people.—How they justify themselves.—Massacres at Mérindol, Cabrières, &c.—Trial in respect of this affair before the Parliament of Paris.—_Page 46-51._ VII. Great success of the Reformation.—What were the principal causes of it.—Gentlemen.—Third estate.—Traders.—Converted monks and priests.—Bible hawkers.—Martyrdom of one of them.—Assemblies of the Reformed in small bands.—Precautions.—Piety and exemplary conduct of the Reformed.—_Page 51-57._ VIII.