Reformed Church of France, particularly Mr D. Scott's important work, still in progress, "On the Suppression of the Reformation in France;" but they either comprehend only a limited portion of the history, or they present it in its merely external and secular aspects. It is the aim of the following pages to give a view of the entire history of the Protestant Church of France through three centuries, and that chiefly in its spiritual character as a Church of Christ. The absence of the latter is, I apprehend, a great defect in most works on ecclesiastical history. Along with these, I have combined interesting facts in the contemporaneous history of the Church of Scotland, some of them unknown to any, save to those who have had access to the same documents. The reader, therefore, will know what he has to expect-not an elaborate historical work-but brief sketches, designed to draw forth the spiritual character of Churches towards which God has exercised not a few remarkable dispensations. The comparison of the history of the two Churches will serve to show the diversity of God's Providential dealings with his own people. It appears from the "Life of Dr M'Crie," just published, that that eminent man, 27 years ago, strongly recommended his not less eminent friend, Dr Andrew Thomson, to write the History of the Protestant Church of France, among other reasons, because there was no readable book on the subject, and because of the remarkable correspondence, in many points, between the constitution and history of the Church of France and the Church of Scotland. I have not the presumption to imagine, that the following pages have supplied what such an historical writer as Dr M'Crie pronounced to be want ing. But the Public have thus the best, and that an unlooked-for testimony, to the fact, that there is a desideratum in Church History to be met; and however defective the present Sketch may be in itself, and even in the views and wishes of the writer, it is matter of no small satisfaction, that having been drawn accidentally to the study of the Ecclesiastical History of the Reformed Church of France, I should have pursued it in a form which so far accords with the views of the immortal biographer of Knox. I have an additional motive for the publication, and it is to be found in the present prospects of Popery, both at home and abroad, and the liberalised feeling with which it is regarded by many professed Protestants. Nothing is better fitted, with the Divine blessing, to correct erroneous views of Popery, than to survey its operation in France, and towards the Protestant Church of that country, during the last 300 years. In the course of this survey, we behold it in all states of society-in peace and in war-under despotism, and in comparative freedom-in ignorance, and in days of civilization and refinement; and we find what experience testifies as to its ability to change for the better in any circumstances. I make no apology for the frequency with which I give quotations, particularly from the official documents of the Protestant Church. These not only add authority and weight to the facts which they record, but the fine spirit and tone in which they are usually conceived, not unfrequently afford a far more correct impression of the talent of the writers, and religious temper of the Church, than any descriptions of a modern author. I have not always been careful to mark the page or the chapter of the quotation. The most important are given, and I can assure the reader of the accuracy of those which have not been recorded. My earnest prayer is, that the Great Head of the Church may bless the present humble undertaking for the glory of His own name, and that this work may not only prove interesting to Christians at home, but to Christians in France, and urge on the blessed revival which has so happily begun. GLASGOW, 27th Nov. 1840. JOHN G. LORIMER. CONTENTS. Importance of the subject, Page 1-Chief Authorities, 2-Early Reforma- tion indebted to Nobles, ib.-Translation of the Scriptures, ib.-Great Advantage of the Metrical Psalms, 3-Early Success, 4-Severe Suffer- ings of the Martyrs, 5-9-Confession of Faith in Forty Articles, 9-23-Wise Discipline of the Church in regard to Pastors, Teachers, Church Mem- bers, The Poor, &c., 24-8-Rapid Progress of the Church, 29-Illus- Persecution, Page 32-Fearful Massacre of St Bartholomew, 33-5-Disastrous Early Refuge for the Suffering Protestants, Page 51-Rapid Progress of the Truth, 52-Severe Struggles with the Popish Party, 53-Exertions of Montgomery, a Scotchman, 54-Defence of the Protestants taking up Arms, 55-Christian Character of the Church of Bearn and Navarre, 56- Education; Sabbath Observance; Appointment of Ministers; Missionary Early Connection between Scotland and the Continent of Europe, Page 58- Number of Scotchmen in France, 59, 60-The low Moral and Religious State of Scotland prior to the Reformation, 61-The First Martyrs, ib.— Humble Beginnings and amazing Progress of the Reformed Church, 62-6 -Resemblance between the Church of Scotland and the Church of France in Doctrine and Discipline, 66, 67-High Qualifications required for the Ministry, 68-Manifold Labours of the Pastor, 68, 69-Success against Popery, 69, 70-Spirit of Union with Christian Churches, and Sympathy with the Afflicted, 71, 72-Explanation and Vindication of the High Discipline of the Church, 72, 73-Confirmation of preceding State- ments from recently discovered Records of the General Session of Glas- The Establishment of the Edict of Nantes, Pages 76, 77-The_Religious Wars which preceded it, 77-The Advantages of the Edict, 78-Early Encroach- ments and Cruelties under Louis XIII., 80-The Self-Defensive Efforts of the Protestants, 81-Noble Character of Mornay Du Plessis, 82-The Siege of Rochelle, 83-Sympathy of the British Nation with the French Sufferers, 83-5-Comparative Quiet, 85, 86-The generous Efforts of Oliver Cromwell in behalf of the Persecuted Piedmontese, 86-9-Revi- val of Popery under Louis XIII., 91-The Number of the Protestants, 92-Their Loyalty, 93-The Learning of the Ministers, 94-Their Piety, Correspondence in the Histories of the Church of France and the Church of Scotland, Pages 96-8-The Encroachments of James VI. on the Consti- tution of the Presbyterian Church, and his Instruments, 98-101-Noble Firmness of the Presbyterian Ministers, 101-3-Christian Character of the Church during the reign of James VI., 103-Labours in Planting Churches, 104-Strict Discipline on Ministers and People, 104, 105-Exer- tions against Popery, and Success, 106-Large Number of Communicants in Parishes; Cases of Ednam, Newbattle, Shetland, 108-10-The Acces- sion of Charles I. and Rule of Archbishop Laud, 111, 112-The Service- Book attempted to be thrust on the Church, 113-The Reaction, ib.-The Universal and Disinterested Struggle of the People of Scotland, 113,114— Civil Wars of England, 115-Execution of Charles I., and Vindication of the Presbyterians from any share in it, 116-Spiritual Character of the Church during her Warfare with the King, 118-Devout Spirit of the Presbyterian Army, 119-Vindicated from the Charge of Cruelty, 120— Labours of the Church against Popery, &c., 121-In behalf of Church Extension, 121, 122-Presbyterial Visitations, 123-Family Worship, ib. -Fast Day Appointments, 124-6-Special Revivals of Religion, 127-Ex- planation of the Sins and Crimes met with in the Records of the Church, 128, 129-Talents and Attainments of the leading Ministers, 130. |