, a simple faith, a peaceful retreat, far from the pomp and
ambiguity of the episcopal and popish church. It may be, that for the
good of mankind, for religion, education, and liberty, it was expedient
in those earlier ages, that the Bishop of Rome should declare himself
the head-shepherd and lay the foundation of a spiritual kingdom; but,
that the christian church in later times has declined on that account,
admits of no doubt. The bishops and priests were now no longer simple
teachers of the word and imitators of the apostles, but they became the
head-servants of their spiritual master, who in the disputes of the
times was compelled to think first of himself and of his own power,
while he assigned to religion that only which was not detrimental to
it; therefore it resulted, that when the quiet inhabitants of Alby
assembled in their wooded valleys, resolving to free themselves from
the abuses, the arbitrary dogmas, as well as from the corruptions of
the priests, they were persecuted as heretics, who sought to overturn
the papal chair, and therefore Christianity itself. Had there been
then, as there was formerly, a free independent church of bishops,
these enlightened minds would have found protection and peace, they
would have been allowed to assemble in their houses of prayer with
their priests, and serve God in what manner they thought it their duty
to do, instead of which, crusades were preached against them and their
innocent blood, which has been so inhumanly shed, still cries up to
heaven. Even if the papal hierarchy and Christianity had not been one
and the same thing, there would still have arisen in our mountains
great preachers and reformers of the church. When the papal authority
began to totter, such teachers as these spread themselves among our
mountains and Calvin's disciples found minds, which had been long
prepared to receive his doctrines. This form of faith is here as
natural and holy as yours may be in other parts, and he only could
resolve on extirpating them by persecution, who misunderstands the
beautiful and tolerating spirit of Christianity, indeed it appears to
me, that he must be entirely inimical to this religion of love. Since
Luther and Calvin, a civil war has raged through every province for
nearly a century; dearly was this cherished liberty to be paid for, of
which the popes and bishops have so unjustly robbed mankind. A light
shone in the midst of this gloom, our fourth Henry stepped forw