Disinterested Sentiments on the Retreat of the Pastors of France

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After having thus examined the Apology for the Retreat of Pastors The "Apology" refers to a contemporary defense—likely the "Apologie des pasteurs qui sont sortis de France" (1687)—written to justify why Huguenot ministers fled the country following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which made Protestantism illegal. and declared its sentiments, we show that they are obliged to return to France and to expose themselves to all sorts of dangers to try to restore their Churches and to console their peoples. We speak of the precautions they might take to succeed there with less difficulty, and to execute this design with less danger. An exhortation is made to all those who can contribute to this great design to work toward it with all their power, and the work is concluded.

Furthermore, care has been taken throughout to say nothing that might offend the Pastors, nor cause them to be seen as people unworthy of the Ministry Ministry: The vocational office of a clergyman, specifically the French Reformed pastorate during the "Desert" period of persecution.. On the contrary, their fault is spoken of only as a very natural and very ordinary effect of human weakness, and of a...