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

In 1555 congregations began to be formed on
the Genevan model. A pastor was appointed to
teach, and with him was associated a small body of
laymen to watch over the morals of the flock. The
work of organizing went on vigorously, and in
1560 from one to two thousand Protestant
congregations existed in France. Thus did the
individual congregation come into existence. But
the Church of God needs a wider union, and a more
centralized authority.
Scattered over the wide space that separates the
Seine from the Rhone and the Garonne, the
Protestant Churches of France were isolated and
apart. In the fact that they had common interests
and common dangers, a basis was laid, they felt,
for confederation. In this way would the wisdom of
all be available for the guidance of each, and the
strength of each be combined for the defense of all.
As the symbol of such a confederation it was
requisite that a creed should be drafted which all
might confess, and a code of discipline compiled to
which all would submit. Not to fetter the private
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