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

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the m<strong>in</strong>istry, with the sword and the bow <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Gospel preached, conquer<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>to</strong> conquer. His<br />

enemies fall under him, and submit themselves<br />

un<strong>to</strong> him."<br />

"Oh! the unparalleled success <strong>of</strong> the pla<strong>in</strong> and<br />

earnest sermons <strong>of</strong> the first Reformers! Multitudes<br />

flock <strong>in</strong> like doves <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> the w<strong>in</strong>dows <strong>of</strong> God's ark.<br />

As <strong>in</strong>numerable drops <strong>of</strong> dew fall from the womb<br />

<strong>of</strong> the morn<strong>in</strong>g, so hath the Lord Christ the dew <strong>of</strong><br />

his youth. The Popish churches are dra<strong>in</strong>ed, the<br />

Protestant churches are filled. The priests compla<strong>in</strong><br />

that their altars are neglected; their masses are now<br />

<strong>in</strong>deed solitary. Dagon cannot stand before God's<br />

ark. Children and persons <strong>of</strong> riper years are<br />

catechized <strong>in</strong> the rudiments and pr<strong>in</strong>ciples <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Christian religion, and can give a satisfac<strong>to</strong>ry<br />

account <strong>of</strong> their faith, a reason <strong>of</strong> the hope that is <strong>in</strong><br />

them. By this ord<strong>in</strong>ance do their pious pas<strong>to</strong>rs<br />

prepare them for communion with the Lord at his<br />

holy table."[13]<br />

73

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