Page 26 - 12 The French Reformation

he saw himself, without an intercessor, in the

presence of a holy and just Judge. The

mediation of saints, good works, the

ceremonies of the church, all were powerless

to atone for sin. He could see before him

nothing but the blackness of eternal despair.

In vain the doctors of the church endeavored

to relieve his woe. Confession, penance, were

resorted to in vain; they could not reconcile

the soul with God.

While still engaged in these fruitless

struggles, Calvin, chancing one day to visit

one of the public squares, witnessed there

the burning of a heretic. He was filled with

wonder at the expression of peace which

rested upon the martyr's countenance. Amid

the tortures of that dreadful death, and under

the more terrible condemnation of the

church, he manifested a faith and courage