Leclerc; yet he boldly advanced, grasped the image of the holy hermit from the arms of the priest, and tossed it over the bridge into the river; as bold a deed as that of the Chevalier Bayard when he stayed an army at the bridge of the Garigliano. Then, turning to the awestricken crowd, he exclaimed, 'Poor idolaters, will ye never cease from your idolatry!'

The priests stood confused and motionless. With the loss of their saint, they lost their presence of mind. Their superstitious fear seemed to rivet them to the spot. But some one cried out, 'The image is drowning!' The priests recovered from their stupor. The multitudes shouted in rage, and gazed at the image floating away. Farel let them gaze and rave; and taking advantage of their devout attention to the saint, he escaped their violence. For a time he hid himself among his friends.

The duke and his court soon left the city; and having no strong arm to defend him, Farel had an additional reason for leaving Montbeliard. In the spring he took a secret refuge at Basle. He always took an interest in the church he had left, as a minister will ever do in the flock where were gathered the first-fruits of his labours. We will meet Peter Toussaint in this field.

CHAPTER VIII.

MOURNING AND MADNESS.

(1525-1526.)

AD tidings came to Farel at Basle. His friend, the Chevalier Anemond, was sick at Schauffhausen, where the Rhine presents one of the finest waterfalls in Europe. The chevalier had wandered from place to place to recruit his failing health. He had hoped to preach the gospel, and still cherished plans, almost romantic, for urging forward the Reformation. Farel sent him four gold crowns. A messenger came to tell him that his warmhearted compatriot was dying. Before he could set out to visit him, a letter was received from Myconius, announcing the death of the young knight, 'who was in himself an host,' and who had made many sacrifices for the truth.

Farel applied to the senate of Basle once more to sanction his return, but without success. He went to Strasburg, and for about fifteen months was engaged in preaching to a small church of French exiles. If we cast an eye upon France, we can see a reason why this brave man kept beyond her borders.

There was a loud wail throughout France over the

disasters of Pavia. The king was carried away to Spain; the national power was humbled; the bravest of many a house had been slain, and ruin seemed at hand. The Romanists saw that it was their hour. They made the most of their time. They declared that heresy was in the land; it was the cause of all the troubles, and it must be crushed. The blame was thus laid upon those who were most innocent. There was a loud cry for blood.

Louisa was now the regent, the ruler, the Jezebel of the kingdom. She wrote to the Pope, and he gave orders for the introduction of the inquisition into France. This delighted the cruel Duprat, who was made a cardinal, and who was given an archbishopric, and into the bargain, a rich abbey. The Parliament thought that the king had erred in tolerating the new doctrines; and the members said to Louisa, Heresy has raised its head among us; and the king, by neglecting to bring the heretics to the scaffold, has drawn down the wrath of Heaven upon the nation.'

She wished to enlist the Sorbonne. They ordered Beda to return her an answer. He advised that all 'writings of heretics be prohibited by a royal proclamation; and if this means does not suffice, we must employ force against the persons of these false doctrines; for those who resist the light must be subdued by torture and by terror?

Everything was arranged for a vigorous campaign against the 'heretics.' Meaux was chosen as the first point of attack. The bishop, Briçonnet, had not yet fallen so far as to return fully to Popery. But how should they manage him? It might not be wise to burn him; those in sympathy with him would only cling the more stoutly to his doctrines. But if he could be

CHAPTER VIII.

MOURNING AND MADNESS.

(1525-1526.)

AD tidings came to Farel at Basl friend, the Chevalier Anemond, was Schauffhausen, where the Rhine

one of the finest waterfalls in Euro chevalier had wandered from place to place. his failing health. He had hoped to preach and still cherished plans, almost romantic, forward the Reformation. Farel sent him crowns. A messenger came to tell him th. hearted compatriot was dying. Before 1 out to visit him, a letter was received fro announcing the death of the young knigi in himself an host,' and who had made n for the truth.

Farel applied to the senate of Basle sanction his return, but without success Strasburg, and for about fifteen months preaching to a small church of French e an eye upon France, we can see a reaso man kept beyond her borders.

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