In their desire to see the Reformation advanced in France, some decisions were made that ultimately proved extremely costly. Instead of progress the reformation lost its brightest minds to other countries at best and at worst to death and persecution.

<p>In their desire to see the Reformation advanced in France, some decisions were made that ultimately proved extremely costly. Instead of progress the reformation lost its brightest minds to other countries at best and at worst to death and persecution.</p>

Lineage: Season 1

Adam Ramdin

Lineage Journey

Episode 1- Constantine: Compromise & Controversy

Episode 2- Scotland’s Braveheart

Episode 3- Holy Island

Episode 4- The Tide Turns

Episode 5- Dinooth & Columbanus

Episode 6- Waldenses: People of the Valleys

Episode 7- The Waldenses: A Mission Movement

Episode 8- The Waldenses: Lux Lucet In Tenebris

Episode 9- The Albigensian Massacre

Episode 10- Magna Carta: The Foundation of Freedom

Episode 11- John Wycliffe: The Morning Star

Episode 12- Bohemian Reformation: Huss & Jerome

Episode 13- Bohemian Reformation: Trial of Huss & Jerome

Episode 14- Bohemian Reformation: Burned for Their Faith

Episode 15- Bohemian Reformation: Hussite Wars

Episode 16- John Wycliffe: Worldwide Witness

Episode 17- The Press Behind the Reformation

Episode 18- Martin Luther: Discovering The Word

Episode 19- Martin Luther: The Just Shall Live By Faith

Episode 20- Ulrich Zwingli: The Swiss Reformation

Episode 21- Martin Luther: The 95 Theses

Episode 22: The Papal Bull & Martin Luther

Episode 23: Martin Luther - Here I Stand

Episode 24: Martin Luther - Captured To A Castle

Episode 25: Martin Luther - Protest of the Princes

Episode 26: John Calvin - Early Years in France

Episode 27: Placards and Protest in France

Episode 28: John Calvin - The Work in Geneva

Episode 29: Geneva - International Hub of Reform

Episode 30: Scandinavian Reformation

Episode 31: William Tyndale

Episode 32: George Wishart - Scotland’s Forgotten Forerunner

Episode 33: John Knox - Scotland’s Greatest Reformer

Episode 34: John Knox - Showdown At Holyrood

Episode 35: The Waldenses Meet the Reformation

Episode 36: Ridley And Latimer Light A Candle

Episode 37: Thomas Cranmer - Cowardice and Courage

Episode 38: Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

Episode 39: The Spanish Armada

Episode 40: Guy Fawkes & The Gunpowder Plot

Episode 41: The Mayflower

Episode 42: Martin Luther- The Protest Is Not Over

Episode 43: The Waldenses- Massacre at Castelluzzo

Episode 44: Marie Durand- Righteous Resistance

Episode 45: John Wesley- The Origins of Methodism

Episode 46: John Wesley & George Whitfield

Episode 47: Mary Jones & World Mission

Episode 48: Is the Reformation Over?

The Battle of the Sables The French Reformation in the 16th century was not a smooth sailing.

There was strong tension and conflict between the Protestants and Catholics, and in the latter part of the century there were several wars between the 2.

In the 1530s there was growing frustration as they saw their dream being fulfilled elsewhere in Germany and Switzerland, and yet in France they were lagging behind.

In order to advance their cause, it was thought they needed to strike a bold blow to Rome and attack 1 of the most controversial topics, the Mass.

Many believe that Farrell wrote it in Switzerland, though others say that Antoine de Marquand wrote it.

The tract was entitled, True Articles on the Horrible, Great, and Intolerable Abuses of the Popish Mass, Invented in Direct Opposition to the Holy Supper of Our Lord and Only Mediator and Savior.

The leaders of the French movement met to discuss how to use it, and some felt it was too strong and direct, and that to use it would cause more harm than good.

Others thought that it was okay, and when it was taken to a vote it was decided to use it.

They were distributed all over France to every city, town, and even village, and it was decided that on October 24, 1534, at night, they would be posted all over France.

♪ ♪ However, instead of advancing the Reformation, this zealous and ultimately ill-judged action brought ruin not only on those who had posted the placards, but on the reform of Protestant faith throughout France.

1 of the placards was posted on the King's personal chamber and in his rage he said, let all be seized without distinction who are suspected of heresy and I will exterminate all.

The leaders of the Roman Church had what they had longed for, a reason to wipe out the Protestants.

*** Some poor adherent of the Reformed faith was seized and commanded to show the papers all the homes of the believers in Paris, and under the threat of death he cowardly went along and betrayed his people.

They walked through the streets of Paris and grabbed people from their homes, imprisoning them before trying, torturing, and killing them.

Hundreds of people fled Paris, people from all ranks of life, university professors, princes, artisans, and the Catholic Church was surprised to find how many Protestants had been living in Paris unknown to themselves.

[♪dramatic music playing♪ The leading French reformers would have to leave, finding refuge in Geneva, Switzerland, and it was from there that they would send pastors back into France so that in the space of 40 years there were perhaps 2 million Huguenot Protestants and 1, 250 churches throughout France.

Bartholomew's Massacre would deal another blow to the church in France, and again many people would leave France.

At this persecution and subsequent ones that would follow each time France would lose their skilled tradesmen and craftsmen suffering a brain drain that they have caused on themselves.

The Swiss watchmaking industry was built largely by French Huguenot Protestants who fled there.

How did the mass protestors get to the top?

1 thing that we learned from this episode of history is that it's as important that we know when to say something and how to say something as it is that we say the right thing.

The placards that were posted might have contained the truth about the Mass and correctly pointed out the erroneous beliefs, but the way in which it was done was ill-judged and caused more harm than good.

May we be wise in how we share the truth of God's Word, sensitive to what others believe, and always aim to be winsome in our methods and our words.

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Lineage: Season 1

Episode 27: Placards and Protest in France

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