The Calvinist faith spread throughout France quickly and within 40 years included more than one-third of the population. Followers of this new religion were accused of heresy by the Catholic government of France. The Catholic religion was the predominant religion at this time. In January 1536, a general edict was issued to eradicate all French Protestants and the Church was determined to stay in power. The Huguenots were denied political and social rights until the passing of the Edict of Nantes, which granted them religious toleration, along with social and political equality. This edict was repealed 87 years later and the Huguenot’s rights were endangered for a second time. Louis XIV, King of France at the time of the revocation, was quoted saying “One faith, one law, one king.” The Edict of Nantes helped promote religious freedom in France. However, when it was revoked in the seventeenth century, it endangered the personal rights guaranteed to all citizens and forced many people to flee the nation.