CHAPTER XV. CALVIN CALLED AT BOURGES TO THE EVANGELICAL WORK. (1528-1529.)✦

Calvin at his Father's Bed-side—His first Letter—Beza arrives at Orleans—Calvin goes to Bourges—Brilliant Lessons of Alciati—Wolmar and Calvin at Bourges—Wolmar calls him to the Evangelical Ministry—The Priest and the Minister—Calvin's Hesitation—He evangelises—Preaches at Lignières—Recalled by his Father's Death—Preachings at Bourges—Tumult 27

CHAPTER XVI. BERQUIN, THE MOST LEARNED OF THE NOBILITY, A MARTYR FOR THE GOSPEL. (1529.)

Margaret's Regret—Complaints of Erasmus—Plot of the Sorbonne against Berquin—His Indictment prepared—The Queen intercedes for him—Berquin at the Conciergerie—Discovery of the Letter—He is imprisoned in a strong Tower—Sentence—Recourse to God—Efforts of Budæus to save him—His Earnest Appeals to Berquin—Fall and Uprising of Berquin—Margaret writes to the King—Haste of the Judges—Procession to the Stake—Berquin joyous in the presence of Death—His Last Moments—Effect on the Spectators—Murmurs, Tricks, and Indignation—Effect of his Death in France—The Martyrs' Hymn—The Reformer rises again from his Ashes 41

CHAPTER XVII. FIRST LABOURS OF CALVIN AT PARIS. (1529.)✦

Calvin turns towards a Christian Career—His old Patrons—Calvin's Sermon and Hearers—Determines to go to Paris—Focus of Light—Coiffart's Invitation—Professor Cop goes to see him—Visit to a Nunnery—An Excursion on horseback—Devotes himself to Theology—Speaks in the Secret Assemblies—Movement in the Quartier Latin—Writings put into circulation—Calvin endeavours to bring back Briçonnet—Fills the Vessels with costly Wine—Efforts to convert a young Rake—Beda attacks the King's Professors—Calvin's Scriptural Principles—Small Beginnings of a great Work 63

CHAPTER XVIII. MARGARET'S SORROWS AND THE FESTIVITIES OF THE COURT. (1530-1531.)

Margaret promotes Unity—Progress of the Reformation—Death of the Queen's Child—Orders a Te Deum to be sung—Marriage of Francis I. and Eleanor—Crowd of learned Men—Margaret in the Desert—The Fountain Pure and Free—Fatal Illness of Louisa of Savoy—Margaret's Care and Zeal—Magnificent but chimerical Project 82