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Excerpt from John Calvin: His Life, Letters, and Work
Briconnet had been appointed bishop, and being a man of some importance he believed he could accomplish something in his diocese.1 His father had been first minister under Charles VIII, and after the death of his wife, had entered the Church and become in succession Bishop of St. Malo, Arch bishop Of Rheims, and cardinal. His son Guillaume was first Archdeacon of Rheims and Avignon, then Bishop of Lodeve, then Abbot of St. Germain des Pres, which his father resigned in his favour. He had also acted as ambassador-extraordinary to Rome. As the curates under his jurisdiction in Meaux seldom resided in their parishes and were ignorant and vicious he divided the diocese into thirty-two sections and provided each with a preacher. Among those whom he called into action were Le Fevre, Farel, Vatable, Roussel, and others. He also went to the pulpit and preached himself. A preach ing bishop was a rarity in these days, and one who preached what looked like Lutheran doctrine was a still greater rarity, so the multitude ocked to hear him. Further, at his own expense, he published those passages from the gospels and epistles which were used in the services of the Church, and he circulated them. Every one began to read them. A change Speedily appeared. People began to leave off pray ing to the Virgin and the saints, and confined their worship to Christ alone. Blasphemy gave place to Bible study, and riotous behaviour was replaced by decorum.
So great was the excitement which the movement set up that the Romish authorities became alarmed and took action.
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