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

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were as ramparts around that new society that was<br />

ris<strong>in</strong>g up on <strong>the</strong> ru<strong>in</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> old. While outside <strong>the</strong><br />

Church <strong>the</strong> roar <strong>of</strong> battle never ceased, <strong>the</strong> song <strong>of</strong><br />

peace was heard cont<strong>in</strong>ually ascend<strong>in</strong>g with<strong>in</strong> her.<br />

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help<br />

<strong>in</strong> time <strong>of</strong> trouble. Therefore, will not we fear,<br />

although <strong>the</strong> earth be removed, and though <strong>the</strong><br />

mounta<strong>in</strong>s be carried <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> midst <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sea. God<br />

is <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> midst <strong>of</strong> her; she shall not be removed."<br />

<strong>From</strong> this hasty glance at <strong>the</strong> politics <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> age,<br />

which had converted <strong>the</strong> world <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> a sea with <strong>the</strong><br />

four w<strong>in</strong>ds warr<strong>in</strong>g upon it, we come back <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

little flock at Meaux. That flock was dwell<strong>in</strong>g<br />

peacefully amid <strong>the</strong> green pastures and by <strong>the</strong><br />

liv<strong>in</strong>g waters <strong>of</strong> truth. Every day saw new converts<br />

added <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir number, and every day beheld <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

love and zeal burn<strong>in</strong>g with a purer flame. The good<br />

Bishop Briconnet was go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> and out before<br />

<strong>the</strong>m, feed<strong>in</strong>g with knowledge and understand<strong>in</strong>g<br />

<strong>the</strong> flock over which, not Rome, but <strong>the</strong> Holy<br />

Ghost had made him overseer. Those fragrant and<br />

lovely fruits which ever spr<strong>in</strong>g up where <strong>the</strong><br />

Gospel comes, and which are <strong>of</strong> a nature al<strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r<br />

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