e I will not swerve from my profession. A doctrine
pushed to an absurdity is its own refutation."

Then spake one that was standing by, but who had hitherto taken no part
in the debate.

"Truly 'tis a pity that one so proper and well-gifted, and who might
doubtless gain some profitable appointment, should so foolishly cast
himself away by holding these dangerous and heretical opinions. Thou
wilt bring both body and soul into jeopardy thereby. If not for
thyself, yet for thy children's sake, and for thy kindred, who must
needs suffer from thy contumacy, return to the communion from which thou
hast cast thyself out, and to the arms of that compassionate mother who
is ever ready to receive back her erring but repentant children."

"Verily," replied the martyr, "life, children, brethren, and friends,
with all the other delights and comforts of this present state, are as
dear and sweet unto me as unto any other man, and I would be as loath to
lose them if I might hold them with a good conscience. But seeing I
cannot do that, I trust God will strengthen me with His Holy Spirit so
that I may lose all for His sake. For I now hold myself but as a sheep
appointed to be slain, and patiently to suffer whatsoever cross it may
please my most merciful Father to lay upon me. But, as God is my
witness!"--he seemed to speak with a prophetic denunciation, "from these
vile ashes shall a fire-brand come that shall consume and destroy
utterly these bloody men and persecutors of God's inheritance!"

So astonished were the bystanders at his audacity, that they did not so
much as attempt to stay his tongue or to lay hands upon him, whilst he
continued, raising his arm in a threatening attitude--

"Ye killers of the prophets, and destroyers of them whom God hath sent
unto you!--Because we reproach you with your evil deeds, and"--

"Blasphemy?" cried out Sir Roger, who was the first to recover his
speech: "we will have thy tongue bored for its offence."

"Away with him!" cried the priest, who seemed nothing loath to begin his
torments. "Thou shalt to my Lord Derby, and he will know how to deal
with such a bitter and foul-mouthed heretic."

All was uproar and confusion. The Justice was even moved from his chair,
and swore out lustily that by ten o'clock the day following, unless this
blasphemer were delivered at Lathom, he would imprison the whole family
of them: such a pestilent fellow being fit, as he said, to infect all
the parish with