Protestantism in France From Death of Francis I to Edict of Nantes - James Aitken Wylie

Reformed opinions, only served to increase the
number of their professors. Men of rank in the
State, and of dignity in the Church, now began,
despite the dis-favor in which all of the "religion"
were held at court, to enroll themselves in the
Protestant army. But the Gospel in France was
destined to owe more to men of humble faith than
to the possessors of rank, however lofty. We have
mentioned Chatelain, Bishop of Macon, who
disputed with the poor tador before Henry II. As
Beza remarks, one thing only did he lack, even
grace, to make him one of the most brilliant
characters and most illustrious professors of the
Gospel in France. Lowly born, Chatelain had raised
himself by his great talents and beautiful character.
He sat daily at the table of Francis I, among the
scholars and wise men whom the king loved to
hear discourse. To the accomplishments of foreign
travel he added the charms of an elegant latinity.
He favored the new opinions, and undertook the
defense of Robert Stephens, the king's printer,
when the Sorbonne attacked him for his version of
the Bible.[4] These acquirements and gifts
procured his being made Bishop of Macon. But the
27