Beginning with Clovis (AD 481-511), the French Kings held the title of “Eldest Son of the Church.” France found it very difficult to accept the religious reforms of the Reformation, and the king defended his title with a vehemence. Because of the persecutions, there were no public congregations among the French Protestants, though people met in secret.
The Huguenots
Calvin was the acknowledged leader of the French Protestants — known as the Huguenots. He recommended that they not observe the Lord’s supper until they had duly recognized ministers. On this point the Augsburg Confession is similar: “Of Ecclesiastical Order they teach that no-one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called” — though we find no such teaching in Scripture. There are no gifts pertaining to worship — gifts are for the edification of the church (Ephesians 4:7-127But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:7‑12)). Neither is there any mention of the administration of the Lord’s supper in connection with the office of the deacon or bishop. That the Lord’s supper is a public act of worship was entirely missed by the reformers. In regard to Baptism and the Lord’s supper they stumbled greatly. Although man is saved by grace alone, they considered baptism necessary for salvation.
The Lord ’s supper is eaten as a memorial or remembrance of Christ, to show — announce publicly — His death till He come (1 Corinthians 11:2626For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:26)). Every aspect of the Lord’s supper should fill our hearts with worship.
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:26).
It was not until 1555 that the first French church, established on reformed principles and organized according to Calvin’s model, was established in Paris. In about five years, there were over a thousand Calvinistic congregations in France.
In 1559, Francis II ascended the throne of France. He was a weak and sickly boy of 16. His wife was Mary Stuart of Scotland — also known as Mary, Queen of Scots. His mother was Catherine de Medici, an adherent to the Church of Rome (her uncle was Pope Clement VII). During the reign of Francis, Catherine de Medici retained the power of the crown over the nobility by balancing the Catholics against the Protestants — the Catholic house of Guise (connected to Mary through her mother), against the Protestant Bourbons. As a result (as we have seen elsewhere in Germany and Switzerland), the unfortunate result was the formation of a great Protestant political party. In 1560, they plotted to seize the Guises and bring them to trial for high treason — the so-called Conspiracy of Amboise. The plot failed.
Francis died in 1560, and Charles IX, a boy of ten years, succeeded his brother. Catherine de Medici assumed the guardianship of the king, and in effect the regency of the kingdom.
In 1562, the Duke of Guise with his attendants slaughtered some 60 Protestants whom he found singing hymns in a barn. The net result was civil war. For some thirty-one years the Wars of Religion saw thousands die in the name of Christianity. In actuality, the conflict continued on for hundreds of years.
The Massacre of St. Bartholomew
In August, 1572, the important figures of the Protestant party were enticed to Paris through the arranged marriage of Henry of Navarre, a Huguenot, and Margaret de Valois, the king’s sister. The masterminds behind the scheme were none other than Catherine de Medici, the Pope, and Phillip II of Spain, though all was done with the king’s consent. The marriage occurred on the 18th of August, 1572, with both Catholics and Protestants enjoying the celebrations. However, behind the scenes the plans for the destruction of the Huguenots were taking place.
On the 22nd the Huguenot Admiral Coligny was wounded by an assassin. The king and his mother visited the wounded man and with duplicity expressed their horror and regrets. On the night of the 23rd, while it was yet the early hours of the 24th, the Massacre of Saint Bartholomew began. The murderers wore a scarf on their arm and a white cross on their hats. By morning the dead were piled in the doorways and their blood flowed in the streets. The massacre extended throughout Paris and into the provinces. About 70,000 died in the three days of slaughter. The bodies were thrown into the river Seine until it was choked.
It is said that the king, Charles IX, was forever haunted by the scenes of that night, and that he died a miserable death at the age of 25. In Rome, the Pope held a mass in thanksgiving, and struck a medal in honor of the event. In England, Germany and Switzerland, the news of the event was received with mourning. Queen Elizabeth ordered her royal court to put on the apparel of mourning.
The Wars of Religion, the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, and the continuing conflicts did not rid France of Protestants. In general it strengthened their resolve. However, with the large numbers killed or driven into exile, whole villages were depopulated; and the impact on the economy of that country was great.
In 1997 Pope John Paul II offered an “apology” for the St. Bartholomew massacre, which he referred to as an “obscure event.” Rome agrees that the attempted assassination of Coligny was premeditated — to stop the religious conflict and to prevent further bloodshed. However, they say that the massacre was a hasty reaction, largely of Catherine de Medici, to the reality that Coligny was not actually killed and therefore the Huguenots remained powerful. Despite the attempts to obscure the details, the truth remains that the Pope celebrated the event. One of the medals he struck can be found in the British Museum with his image and the words, “The slaughter of the Huguenots 1572.”
The Reformation in Scotland
The reformation in Scotland began with the printing of the Bible. Wycliffe’s Lollards sought refuge in that northern land, and to its ports the translation of Tyndale and the writings of the reformers found their way. The Bible was the people’s teacher. However, the progress of the gospel was not without opposition.
Patrick Hamilton was a young man of royal blood. Receiving his education in Scotland, he studied for his Master of Arts at the University of Paris. Returning again to Scotland he pursued his studies until he was forced to leave because of his open criticism of the church. From Scotland he travelled to Wittenberg where he became acquainted with Luther and Melancthon. Returning in 1527, he was bold to preach the gospel wherever he went. Patrick was renowned for his graciousness and good manners. Denounced to the archbishop Beaton of St. Andrew’s, he was condemned as a heretic to die the martyr’s death.
On the 28th of February 1528, Patrick calmly went to the stake. First bowing his head in prayer, he gave his copy of the gospels to a friend and then his cap and coat to his servant. Because of the ineptness of the executioners it was six hours before his body was reduced to ashes. The fire was started three times. At one point gunpowder was used, which resulted in a severe wound to his face. At this, he asked the question, “Have you no dry wood?” He was observed to be calm throughout the whole ordeal, never once seeking vengeance on his persecutors.
The burning of Patrick Hamilton sent a shudder throughout the land, turning the country decisively in the direction of the Reformation.
John Knox
John Knox is a most distinguished figure in the Scottish Reformation. Born in 1505, he grew up to receive a good education and was ultimately admitted to the priesthood. In 1546 we find him present at the burning of George Wishart, and from that time he joined the reformers. Knox was a bold and fiery preacher of the Word. Captured by the French, he was released at the time of the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots and the French Dauphin, Francis II. During the reign of Mary I, Queen of England, he returned again to the continent where he sought refuge among the reformers in Geneva; there he formed a close friendship with Calvin. Knox returned to Scotland in 1555 but had to depart again. In 1559 he was entreated to return, and on May 2nd, 1559, he arrived at Leith. In 1560 the Scottish Parliament voted to suppress the Roman hierarchy and to establish the Protestant faith. This laid open the way for the formation of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. In Knox’s system there are four permanent office bearers—the minister to preach, the doctor to teach, the elder to rule, and the deacon to manage financial affairs. There are four courts: the Kirk-session, the Presbytery, the Provincial Synod, and the General Assembly. Again we see the failure of man to recognize Christ’s place as Head over His church and the unity of His body, the church, through the Holy Spirit.