“And yet,” replied Marsh, “I ought with all boldness to confess the truth, fearing not to answer for the hope that is in me; and why should I refuse to obey the commands of those who are in authority? for the magistrate beareth not the sword in vain.”

“Truly, obedience were his right, if so be this were some righteous judge raised up of God for the punishment of evil-doers.  But, as thou well knowest, the justice thou shalt demand will not be rendered:  the summons thou hast received to answer on doctrinal and disputed points, and to argue them before these wicked and crafty men, as touching thy belief, are but manifest excuses to get thee into their power, from which they mean not to liberate thee but by the fire that shall consume thy body, and free it for ever from their murderous gripe.  Thou knowest, too, that Sir Roger beareth thee a malice, and hath used all subtlety that he might have wherewith to seek occasion against thee.  Didst thou not rebuke him openly for his irreverence, when that he must needs play with his puppy, that had its collar full of bells, during God’s holy service—­that comfortable form of worship established and publicly taught in the lifetime of our last good King Edward, and not this papistical, idolatrous mass which they now use, to the eternal ruin of both soul and body?  No mercy shalt thou have at their hands.  And doth our blessed Master require of us that we give our bodies up to these wicked and malignant deceivers, that their devilish pleasure may be glutted in torturing and spitefully using us, while they go about putting innocent men to cruel and shameful deaths?  As soon would He require that we should yield our bodies up to Satan and his angels.”

“I know not how to answer thee, Bradshaw, in this matter; but my mind misgives me in taking so hasty a departure from our suffering and afflicted realm.  Yet will we ask counsel of Him who guideth the weak, and will not suffer us to be tempted beyond measure.”

Whereat these persecuted disciples did unite in prayer to that throne before which, having finished their earthly warfare, they now stand with crowns of victory on their foreheads, purified from this gross mortality.  Marsh, much comforted by the exercise, doubted not that, according to his faith, wisdom and direction would be granted in the way he should take.

Hereupon they separated, wishing each other “God speed.”

Through the darkness and tempest of that fearful night George Marsh approached the town, where, in a narrow lane leading from the brow of the hill by the church, abode his mother and her youngest son.  Raising the latch, he saw the old woman alone, seated by the fire, weeping.

“Praised be His mercy, thou art yet safe!” said she, clasping her withered hands together.  “They have again been here to seek for thee, and I was fearful thou hadst not escaped their power.”

“Who has been here, and from whence?”