The Five Young Martyrs of Lyons

ee F all the martyrs whom Calvin had to exhort at this 2 period, five especially— the five prisoners of Lyons, Qe as they were called——had to bless him in their time of trial. They were five young Frenchmen desiring to take part in the Reformation of their own country, who had studied at Lausanne, where the ministry had just been conferred upon them. During the long season of preparation they had no doubt, looked forward with mingled feelings to the great struggle in which they were to take part, But now, having completed their course of study, they, after passing a few days at Geneva, return to France. On their way, a stranger, of whom they entertained no suspicion, introduced himself as a fellow traveller. Soon after their arrival at Lyons, however, their new acquaintance betrayed them, and they were’ arrested and thrown into prison. The intervention of the Bernese government, the influence which was exerted in their behalf in high quarters, and the interest which these young men excited in many Romanists, all served only to protract a painful trial, in which the brutality of the judges was only equalled by the constancy of the victims. Ina letter, written in June, 1552, Calvin speaks to them of what has been done to save them, and of what yet will be attempted; but, without taking all hope from them, he prepares them for the most terrible results, and invites them to seek in God, without delay, that courage which is found in God alone. When condemned in effect by the Lyons judges, they appealed to the parliament of Paris. They were, therefore, taken to Paris, but brought back to Lyons to await their sentence, which they received on March Ist, 1553; the sentence of death was conclusive.

‘«* We have been,’ writes Calvin to them, ‘in greater sorrow than ever, having heard the decision taken by the enemies of the truth.’ Other attempts will yet be made; but the great and only one which cannot fail, will be to recommend them to Him who has already sustained them so greatly. ‘ We shall herein do our duty, by praying to Him that He may glorify Himself more and more in your constancy; that, by the consolation of His Spirit, He may soften and sweeten all that is bitter to the flesh, and may so carry away your senses to Himself, that, looking at the heavenly crown, you may be ready to leave all that is worldly without regret.’ At length, in the beginning of May, he writes a last letter. ‘The King of France hath flatly and curtly rejected the requests presented by the gentlemen of Berne. There is no more expectation on that side, nor, indeed, anywhere else that we see here below.’ While there was still hope, they had been enabled to look without ceasing to God; how should they not do it now that ‘necessity exhorts them to direct all their senses toward heaven?’ God has chosen them to make His strength perfect in their weakness, ‘inasmuch as He has granted you this privilege that your bonds have

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been famous, and that the noise of them hath heen spread everywhere; your death, in spite of Satan, must resound even yet more loudly, that the name of the Lord may be magnified.’ Thus he continues at great length; he is moved, but firm, ever speaking in the name of duty, ever demanding such a sacrifice as he himself would accomplish without distraction, and without asking enthusiasm to spare him any pang or effort, but immovable in his courage, and immovable in his faith.

‘‘They perished, therefore, on May 16th, animated by this spirit, and full of this courage. ‘Being come to the place of execution,’ as OCrespin relates in the ‘ History of the Martyrs,’ ‘ they ascended with a joyful heart the pile of wood, the two youngest first. The last who ascended was Martial Alba, the eldest of the five, who had a long time been on both his knees, praying to the Lord. He asked Lieutenant Tignac to grant him a gift. The lieutenant said to him, ‘‘ What willest thou?’’ He said to him, ‘‘ That I may kiss my brethren before I die.” The lieutenant granted it to him. Then the said Martial kissed the four, who were already bound, saying to each of them, «‘ Adieu, adieu, my brother!’’ The fire was kindled. The voices of the five confessors were heard still exhorting one another: ‘Courage, my brethren, courage !”’’ ‘And these,’ continued Crespin, ‘were the last words heard from the said five valiant champions and martyrs of the Lord.’ ”