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Protestantism in France From Death of Henry IV to the Revolution - James Aitken Wylie

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Government redress <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir grievances. They<br />

renewed <strong>the</strong>ir oath <strong>of</strong> union, which consisted <strong>in</strong><br />

swear<strong>in</strong>g fidelity <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> k<strong>in</strong>g, always reserv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

duty <strong>to</strong> "<strong>the</strong> sovereign empire <strong>of</strong> God." It was at<br />

this assembly that <strong>the</strong> talents <strong>of</strong> Henri de Rohan as<br />

a statesman and ora<strong>to</strong>r began <strong>to</strong> display<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves, and <strong>to</strong> give promise <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> prom<strong>in</strong>ent<br />

place he was afterwards <strong>to</strong> fill <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> ranks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Reformed. He strongly urged union among<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves, he exhorted <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> show concern for<br />

<strong>the</strong> welfare <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> humblest as well as <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

highest <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir body, and <strong>to</strong> display a firm spirit <strong>in</strong><br />

deal<strong>in</strong>g with Government <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> exact<strong>in</strong>g all<br />

<strong>the</strong> rights which had been guaranteed by treaty.<br />

"We are not come," he said, "<strong>to</strong> four cross-roads,<br />

but <strong>to</strong> a po<strong>in</strong>t where safety can be found <strong>in</strong> only<br />

one path. Let our object be <strong>the</strong> glory <strong>of</strong> God, and<br />

<strong>the</strong> security <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> churches he has so miraculously<br />

established <strong>in</strong> this k<strong>in</strong>gdom, provid<strong>in</strong>g eagerly for<br />

each o<strong>the</strong>r's benefit by every legitimate means. Let<br />

us religiously demand only what is necessary. Let<br />

us be firm <strong>in</strong> order <strong>to</strong> get it."<br />

The want <strong>of</strong> union was pa<strong>in</strong>fully manifested at<br />

7

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