Few passages in history are more deeply instructive than that, which relates the circumstances leading to the execution of Marshal Biron, the early friend and companion-in-arms of Henry IV, of France. The King had been made aware of his former friend’s trafficking’s with his enemies through Lafin — a Frenchman whom Biron had employed as his confidential agent. Unwilling to believe the worst, Henry sent for, Biron, told him that he was suspected, and solemnly warned him that private friendship could not overlook crimes against the State. Biron denied all, and continued his treason. Again, the King was informed, but this time Biron made partial acknowledgment of his guilt, and Henry — moved to tears by the avowal — readily forgave.
Once more, however, the Marshal joined in plotting against France and the King; then his agent, Lafin, turned traitor. Biron had commanded him to burn all dangerous papers; Lafin only pretended to do so. One special docent in Biron’s hand-writing which contained evidence of his crime was in his own possession, but instead of destroying it himself he rashly handed it to Lafin, who — dexterously hiding it — crumpled up another piece of paper in its stead, which he flung into the fire. Lafin presented all the letters and papers to Henry, and the Marshal was summoned to Fontainebleau.
Biron found the King walking in the garden. Henry passed his arm round the Marshal’s neck, and embracing him said, “You have done well, my friend, to confide in me.” Then, telling him ‘why he had been sent for, he entreated him frankly to confess. The Marshal would confess nothing — had nothing to confess! He dined with a noble, who warned him that Lafin had betrayed him and begged him to throw himself on the King’s mercy; afterwards the King again sent for him, and going back upon all the scenes of their early intimacy, conjured him to be open and to tell all. Under the fatal delusion that Henry, in absence of other evidence, was trying to entrap him into a confession, Biron was as haughty and inflexible as ever. By the King’s wish the Count de. Soissons invited him to supper, and further warned and besought him. Next morning Henry asked him to join him in his walk, but Biron remained unmoved. As a last chance Henry sent him this message by his minister Sully: — “Tell him that if he disguises nothing I give my royal word that I will, with all my heart, grant him a free pardon.” Sully’s entreaties were fruitless, but Biron became alarmed and secretly ordered that horses should be in readiness in the woods at midnight, that, after quitting the royal circle, which he was to join at supper, he might escape. On the palace stairs a note was put in his hand, telling him that within three hours he Would be arrested. He laughed, and passed on to the Queen’s saloon. The King was playing cards with the Queen, and they invited Biron to join their game. As the clock struck eleven, Henry rose and led the Marshal aside. “My friend,” said he, “you know that I have loved you; confess your errors with your own lips and, on the word of a King, whatever they may be, I will forgive; but force me to prove your guilt publicly, and I will not interfere with the award of justice.” Stubborn to the last, Biron demanded the names of his slanderers.
“Well, Marshal,” said Henry, “I see I can make nothing of you.” He passed into his cabinet, and closed the door. A few minutes later the place was filled with soldiers. In the ante-chamber the Marshal was arrested, and taken next day to the Bastille.
Biron remained sullenly defiant till his own letters and papers were put into his hands, and he was confronted with Lafin. Then he burst into frantic tirades against his false accomplice. Another witness confirmed Lafin’s testimony, and Biron was condemned to be beheaded. The King was besieged with entreaties to spare his life, but his resolution had been taken. Justice must take its course.
When told that the day of execution had come, Biron lost all self-possession. He raved at those who brought the tidings — then pitiably exclaimed: — “Must I die? Is there no way of escape?” Yet there had indeed been a way of escape! But he had refused it, and now it was closed. He had often faced death on the battlefield, but mere earthly courage failed, as it surely must, before the supreme test; he met his punishment with horror and dread of which — to this day — it is painful to read, but without it is to be feared, true repentance towards God and the earthly sovereign whose gracious offers of pardon he had so willfully rejected.
Scripture warns us that this present day of grace — during which the long-suffering of God waits “not willing that any should’ perish, but that all should come to repentance” — WILL SURELY END. “God NOW commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; Whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead” (2 Peter 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9); Acts 17:30, 3130And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:30‑31)). “TODAY IF YE WILL HEAR His VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART” (Psa. 95:77For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, (Psalm 95:7); Heb. 3:7, 13, 157Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, (Hebrews 3:7)
13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13)
15While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (Hebrews 3:15).
The Saviour pleads TODAY — “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Tomorrow, in the coming Day, He Who is now the penitent sinner’s Advocate will have become the Judge!
H. R.