Page 10 - 12 The French Reformation

palace of the king. The sister of Francis I, then

the reigning monarch, accepted the reformed

faith. The king himself, and the queen

mother, appeared for a time to regard it with

favor, and with high hopes the Reformers

looked forward to the time when France

should be won to the gospel.

But their hopes were not to be realized. Trial

and persecution awaited the disciples of

Christ. This, however, was mercifully veiled

from their eyes. A time of peace intervened,

that they might gain strength to meet the

tempest; and the Reformation made rapid

progress. The bishop of Meaux labored

zealously in his own diocese to instruct both

the clergy and the people. Ignorant and

immoral priests were removed, and, so far as

possible, replaced by men of learning and

piety. The bishop greatly desired that his