John Le Clerc was the first martyr of the gospel in France. He was the pastor of the church at Meaux. For writing against antichrist of Rome, he was seized by the enraged priests, whipped three successive days, and then branded as a heretic with a heated iron on his forehead. But the martyr uttered not a groan, and he was again set at liberty. He ihen withdrew to Meiz, where more awful sulferings awaited him, and again in the power of

• Margaret selected for her emblem the marigold which, says Brantome, the annalist of the co'jrt, " in its flower and leaf has the most resemblance to the sun, and turning follows its course. Her device was Non inferiora secutus ; * I seek not things below ;' signifying, continues our author, that her actions, thoughts, purposes and desires were directed to that exalted sun, namely God.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 385

his enemies, they cut off his right hand and tormenting him with red liot irons, he was at last consumed by a slow fire. During all these horrid tortures his mind was kept in perfect fidelity and peace, and he ejaculated solemnly: 'Israel trust in the Lord, he is their help and their shield.' Such was the first confessor of Jesus Christ who suffered and died in France, and therefore demands our especial notice. A system of terror soon began over the whole of France.

" But in vain did its enemies oppose ; the glorious march of the Reformation was onward and sure. France had now been baptized with the blood of the martyrs !