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

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Chapter 3<br />

The First Protestant<br />

Congregation <strong>of</strong> <strong>France</strong><br />

A MORNING without clouds was ris<strong>in</strong>g on<br />

<strong>France</strong>, and Briconnet and Lefevre believed that<br />

such as <strong>the</strong> morn<strong>in</strong>g had been so would be <strong>the</strong> day,<br />

tranquil and clear, and wax<strong>in</strong>g ever <strong>the</strong> brighter as<br />

it approached its noon. Already <strong>the</strong> Gospel had<br />

entered <strong>the</strong> palace. In her l<strong>of</strong>ty sphere Margaret <strong>of</strong><br />

Valois shone like a star <strong>of</strong> s<strong>of</strong>t and silvery light,<br />

clouded at times, it is true, from <strong>the</strong> awe <strong>in</strong> which<br />

she s<strong>to</strong>od <strong>of</strong> her bro<strong>the</strong>r and <strong>the</strong> worldly society<br />

around her, but emitt<strong>in</strong>g a sweet and w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g ray<br />

which attracted <strong>the</strong> eye <strong>of</strong> many a beholder.<br />

The monarch was on <strong>the</strong> side <strong>of</strong> progress, and<br />

<strong>of</strong>ten made <strong>the</strong> monks <strong>the</strong> butt <strong>of</strong> his bit<strong>in</strong>g satire.<br />

The patrons <strong>of</strong> literary culture were <strong>the</strong> welcome<br />

guests at <strong>the</strong> Louvre. All th<strong>in</strong>gs were full <strong>of</strong><br />

promise, and, look<strong>in</strong>g down <strong>the</strong> vista <strong>of</strong> com<strong>in</strong>g<br />

years, <strong>the</strong> friends <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gospel beheld a long series<br />

41

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