From Rise of Protestantism in France to Publication of the Institutes - James Aitken Wylie

with one of its doctors on a scholastic subtlety, and
he opened his Bible to find in it proofs to fortify his
position. Judge of his amazement when he
perceived there, not the doctrines of Rome, but the
doctrines of Luther. His conversion was thorough.
His learning, his eloquence, and his influence were
from that hour all at the service of the Gospel. He
labored to spread the truth among his tenantry in
the country, and among his acquaintances in the
city and at the court. He panted to communicate his
convictions to all France. Many looked to him as
the destined Reformer of his native land; and
certainly his position and gifts made him the most
considerable person at that time on the side of the
Reform in France. "Berquin would have been a
second Luther," said Beza, "had he found in
Francis I. a second Elector."[8]
The Sorbonne had not been unobservant; their
alarm was great, and their anger was in proportion
to their alarm. "He is worse than Luther," they
exclaimed. Armed with the authority of Parliament
the Sorbonne seized and imprisoned Berquin
(1523). There was nothing but a stake for the man
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