Matthew 10:37 He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Leelerc, says D'Aubigne, was led to the place of execution. The executioner prepared the fire, heated the iron which was to sear the flesh of the minister of the gospel, and, approaching him, branded him as a heretic on the forehead. Just then a shriek was uttered — but it came not from the martyr. His mother, a witness of the dreadful sight, wrung with anguish, endured a violent struggle between the enthusiasm of faith and maternal feelings; but her faith overcame, and she exclaimed, in a voice that made the adversaries tremble, "Glory be to Jesus Christ, and His witnesses!" Thus did this French woman of the sixteenth century have respect to the word of the Son of God — "He that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." So daring a courage at such a moment might have seemed to demand instant punishment, but that Christian mother had struck powerless the hearts of priests and soldiers. Their fury was restrained by a mightier arm than theirs. The crowd failing back and making way for her, allowed the mother to regain, with faltering step, her humble dwelling. Monks, and even the town sergeants themselves, gazed on her without moving. "Not one of her enemies," says Beza, "dared put forth his hand against' her." Parallel Verses KJV: He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. |
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