The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and his descendants

PERSECUTION OF REFORMERS. 23
Clement VII., he was bound more closely to introd.
the Romish church. During his reign, (1547-
59), the reformed religion grew steadily despite
the most earnest attempts to destroy it.
Its growth may be attributed mainly to the influence
and labors of three persons, and the
help extended it from abroad.
One of these persons was Renata, daughter Renata.
of Louis XII., and sister of Claude, wife of
Francis I. Born in Blois, October 25, 1510,
Renata enjoyed in early life the company and
influence of Marguerite, and the advantages of
association with the Reformers, and of their
writings. Carefully educated; endowed with
many mental qualifications; quick of wit; apt
to learn; delighting in the study of theology
as drawn from the Scriptures ; capable of dis-
tinguishing between true and false principles
in morals and religion; possessed of ardent
affection, strong feelings, and strong will she
;
chose for herself the religion of the Reformers,
and even ranked with Marguerite in her influ-
ence for it. In 1527, the year that Marguerite
became Queen of Navarre, she became the
wife of Hercules De Este, Duke of Ferrara
and Modena in Italy, bordering on France.
Her husband was always partial to the Pope,
under whose influence he was often severe.
The Reformers in time of trouble found a refuge
with her. Calvin, whose Institutes was
her standard of theology, and Clement Marot,
the Psalm singer, each at a different time
found a refuge with her. The Duke would
for the Reformers
sometimes make it prudent
to retire, but could never abate her strength
of attachment for the Evangelical doctrines
which she embraced in youth. Near the close
of her life, she was threatened by the Duke of