830.

Persecutions in the Pays de Vaud 461

CHAPTER XXII.

SKETCHES OF THE LIVES OF SOME OF THE MOST EMINENT REFORMERS.

John Wickliffe 464
Martin Luther 468
John Calvin 473
Agency of Calvin in the death of Michael Servetus 475
Calvin as a friend of Civil Liberty 478
The life of the Rev. John Fox 482
Errors, rites, ceremonies, and superstitious practices of the
Romish church 487

CHAPTER XXIII.

SKETCH OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION OF 1789, AS CONNECTED
WITH THE HISTORY OF PERSECUTIONS 489
Massacre of prisoners 496
Death of Louis XVI and other members of the Royal Family 499
Dreadful scenes in La Vendee 501
Scenes at Marseilles and Lyons 501
The installation of the Goddess of Reason 506
Fall of Danton, Robespierre, Marat and other Jacobins 508

BOOK OF MARTYRS

CHAPTER I.

HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN MARTYRS TO THE FIRST GENERAL PERSECUTION UNDER
NERO.

The history of the church may almost be said to be a history of the
trials and sufferings of its members, as experienced at the hands of
wicked men. At one time, persecution, as waged against the friends of
Christ, was confined to those without; at another, schisms and divisions
have arrayed brethren of the same name against each other, and scenes of
cruelty and woe have been exhibited within the sanctuary, rivalling in
horror the direst cruelties ever inflicted by pagan or barbarian
fanaticism. This, however, instead of implying any defect in the gospel
system, which breathes peace and love; only pourtrays in darker colours
the deep and universal depravity of the human heart. Pure and
unsophisticated morality, especially when attempted to be inculcated on
mankind, as essential to their preserving an interest with their
Creator, have constantly met with opposition. It was this which produced
the premature death of John the Baptist. It was the cutting charge of
adultery and incest, which excited the resentment of Herodias, who ne