The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-09

The Huguenots and Human
Rights.
BY REV. R. L. DABNEY, d. D.

VI - AoSoy eSiidh OuuTCn OF france on
Europe. This omission was caused
chiefly, by the thorough destruction Of
the Reformed books and documents by
Louis XIV, during and after his perse.
cutions; and it was prompted, in part
by the egotism of French authors them
selves, regarding the brilliant era Of
France as containing all that they needed
to teach of her affairs. Hence, we now
have to look to other countries, or subse-
quent ages, for the important history Of
the French Reform
We recall the outline of the story
The principles of the great Frenchman
Calvin, spread into France, until about a
million of the population adhered to them
including many illustrious mobiles, as
Condo, Coligni, Soubise, Du Plessis Nor
nay, Navarro, and great mass of the in
telligent Bourgeoisie, especially in south
-ern France. In the tedious wars of the
:" Ligue, the Reformed were deeply in
volved along with their feudal leaders,
battling for religious liberty. while these
were contending for political objects.
These secular complications brought no
small calamities on the Protestants, with
no little obloquy. 1t is but just to re-
member, that according to the constitu-
ton France then had, the right of mill
tary defence for privileges belonged to
the great feudatories. According to the
opinions of the day, the burgess who fol-
lowed his lord to arms in defence of
chartered rights, even against the king,
was not violating his allegiance, but COM
plying with it. The final triumph Of
Henry of Navarro, however, put an end
to these wars, chiefly by the help of the
Reformed mobiles and people. He deter
mined, from policy, to go over to the
papal religion himself. But he saw al. o,
that the pacifcation of his kingdom abso-
lutely required the liberation of both re-
ligions side by side; and he determined
to secure it. This was odious to the Ro-
manists, who obstinately regarded the
tolerance of any other religion but theirs
as an unholy alliance with heresy. But
Henry " carried out his purpose in the
famous law known as the "Edict of
Nantes, y A. D., 1898. This secured the
Reformed liberty of conscience and equal
ity before the law with Catholics, liberty
of public worship in the castles of all
teudal lords, and in all cities and towns
Except Paris) where Presbyterianism
had, SO far, obtained footing, and special
courts to adjudicate their rights under
this law.
But Henry saw that the irreconcilable
opposition of the Romanists would make
all these rights vain, unless they were
supported by material power stronger
than the feeble regal prerogative He
therefore covenanted TO leave in the HUI
guenots' hands ten important towns, at
the head of which was La Rochelle, called
" Cautionary Towns" to be garrisoned by
them. And to direct this secular power,
the political organization which had
grown up during the war, was recognized,
called the general assembly," with its
subordinate circles. Thus the Reform"
became both church and a republic, in
the bosom of feudal monarchy. It
managed its spiritual affairs under an
ascending series of church-courts, the
consistory" Cor session of a particular
church, the "cOlloquy," Cor presbytery)
the provincial Synod" and the "na-
tional Synod" 1t managed its political
and military interests through its district
circles" and it's general assembly"
composed Of elected delegates therefrom.
Under Louis XIII the famous Richie
lieu wrested from them their stationary
towns, and suppressed their political or
ganization in 1929 But he left them the
religious privileges guaranteed by the
edict. The Reformed church now entered
on its purely spiritual, and most credit
able era. 1t was often prosecuted but
its ministers everywhere adopted the
submissive principles Of Calvin; and
when wronged, sought to commend their
See for instance, Lectures on French His.
tory, by Sir james Stephen, Professor, Oxford
4 o..