February 20: COUNTENANCE OF UNCLOUDED PEACE

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13

The faith of Louis de Berquin continued to grow to the point that he not only stood for truth but openly addressed error. His bitterest enemies were the learned doctors and monks of the theological department at the University of Paris. From their writings Berquin drew up twelve points of error which he publicly declared to be “opposed to the Bible and heretical.” He then appealed to the king to judge the controversy. This, Francis I welcomed. For years he had vacillated between sides.

Unfortunately at this very time, someone defaced a frequently worshipped statue of the Virgin Mary on a street corner in Paris. The monks, seizing the opportunity, cried out that this was the result of Berquin’s influence. They went on to develop a narrative that this “Lutheran conspiracy” would overthrow all religion, laws, and the throne of the king! The king was out of Paris at the time. Berquin was quickly apprehended. The papists made haste to have Berquin tried and condemned to die. The sentence was carried out that very same day, before the king could return and act to rescue him.

Berquin, having dressed himself in his best apparrel, was paraded through the crowded streets of Paris on a rough tumbril. Many remarked of his countenance of unclouded joy and peace. This description matches the face of one who is attired in the whole armor of God. At the stake, he attempted to speak, but the monks yelled at such a pitch, it was impossible for the dying man’s words to be heard. News of the death of Berquin caused much sorrow to the friends of the Reformation throughout France. But his influence and example were not lost….

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18