For the Faith

e thee, and one day

homeward through the miry and darkening streets towards his lodging in St. Alban Hall. He trod on

he had been feeding on hope. He knew that she loved him up to a certain point. But until today she had never openly declared

hony; one day I w

ied aloud in his

fame and renown. I have friends; they will help me. Has not Cole spoken ofttimes of what he hoped to do for me in the matter of some appointment later on, when my studies shall be finished here? I have a

the right of free conscience for every man, and the liberty to read for himself, and in his own tongue, the words of the holy Book of Life? Do we not both long for the day when greed and corruption shall be banished from

fare; he railed not against the prevailing abuses, as did others; he ever spoke of the church as the Holy Mother, the beloved of the Lord, the spouse of Christ; and prayed to see her purified and cleansed of all the defilement which had gathered upon her during her pilgrimage in this world, after the departure of her Lord into the h

came and went in the passion of her spiritual exaltation. They were drawn ever closer and more closely together by t

y own; and what a life they would live together! No cloud should ever touch their happiness, or mar their perfect concord

ed together. But just now Fitzjames was absent, paying one of his frequent visits to the Langtons. Dalaber had spoken to him there only a short while since

d a cry of surprise and welcome, an

rret! You

eyes of fire came out of the circle of

ave come, as I said. Have you a we

sitation; "I welcome you for your own sake, and for that of the

isquiet run, as it were, through his frame. With Freda's kiss of love upon his lips, how could he think of dea

inward misgiving was possessing him. He spoke in his clear a

shudder. You are not prepared to

ollection overwhelmed him. He heard a sweet voi

death, and I will giv

hrew back his

cause I would face death

full upon his face. The clear voice

nd I go forth from thy lodging and trouble thee no more. I ask nothing. I do but take thee at thy word. If thy heart has failed or changed, only say so. One word is enough. There are other spirits in Oxford strong enough

d him by their spell, the fighting instinct rose hot within him. His heart had been full of thoughts of love and human bliss; now there arose a sense of coming battl

n do unto me? I will go forth in the strength of the

ice now. His face was aglow with

n of Clarke's calibre of mind, and full of the zeal which in later times blazed out in the movement of the Reformation, Garret could not regard the Catholic Church in its true and universal aspect, embracing all Christian men in its fold--the one body of which Christ is the head. He looked upon it as a corrupt organization of

al outcome of such a state of affairs, these outcasts themselves were disposed to repudiate the very name of Catholic. And to this very day, in spite of the light which has come to men, and the better understanding with regard to Chri

hough daily it was growing more and more patent to men that if the abuses and corruptions with

s and so many reformers, of being carried away by his own vehemence. He saw the idolatry of the Mass, but he was losing sight of the worship which underlay that weight of ceremonial and observance. Like the people who witnessed the office, the mass of symbolism

He launched his thunderbolts very much after the same fashion as Luther himself; and the timi

e many amongst the students and masters eager to read the forbidden books, and to judge for themselves the nature of the controversy raging in other countries. But the work of distribution was attended with many and great dangers; and this visit was of a preliminary character, with a view to ascertaining wher

and more heated disquisition and controversy. Sometimes a dozen or more such spirits would assemble in his rooms to hear Garret hold forth upon the themes so near to their hearts; and they wou

positions of the holy Scriptures, and to discuss afterwards such matters as the readings had suggested. That there was peril even in such gatherings as these Clarke very well knew; but he earnestly warned all who asked leave to att

as one of those which was troubling

and blood?" spoke Anthony once, with eager insistence, when in one of th

ilst the students hung upon his words, and listened breathless, with a mingli

y quietly and intently, a

The very essence of a sacrament is that it be spiritual and invisible--the visible symbol of the invisible reality. Real and corporate flesh and blood is sacrifice, not sacrament; but the true spiritual presence of the Lord's body is never absent in His holy rite. Let us, in all holiness and meekness of spirit, discern the Lord's body, and thankfully receive it. And instead of seeking words and formulas in which to express heavenly mysteries, which ton

nt than a submissive attitude, and in that the influence of Garret was plainly to be felt. Garret was greatly in favour of Clarke's influence over the students--he considered that he paved the way with them, as he himself would be unable to do; but he also held that the young canon did not go far enough, and that more was wan

pon controverted subjects and church abuses. He held that his own position as a canon forbade this action on his part, and he was also of opinion that there was danger in the too great independence of thought which these writings might engender amongst the unlearned and the hot-headed of the land. He

racted towards him. Quite unaware of this, he pursued the even tenor of his way, seeking to inspire devotion and love of purity and truth in all with whom he came into contact, but never over

e was taken out of himself by the excitement of the flying hours. He knew he was doing perilous work; but he knew that Freda's sympathy was with him, and that she regarded him as a hero in a noble cause. That was enough to keep him steadfast and fearless, even if the magnetic personality of Garret had not been so often brought to bear upon him. Whenever Garret was in

lmost daily with the confraternity there. He had brought a fresh consignment of books, some of which he lodged with Dalaber, and some with Radley, as was his wont. There were stolen meeti

n Hall. When Garret was in Oxford, Fitzjames gave up his share of Dalaber's lodging to him, and betook himself elsewhere; but

been mistaken. It was Arthur Cole, and his f

outs. Cardinal Wolsey himself has sent down a mandate for your arrest. The Dean of Cardinal College is even now in conference with the Commiss

ut Garret had been a hunted man befor

. Do they know where I may be f

fe, but early on the morrow inquisition and search will commence. You will be

subordinates are. Men have been burnt at the stake before this for offences lighter than yours, for you not only hold hereti

felt his knees fail for a moment under him. Yet it was not for himself he feared at that moment. He scarcely realized that this tracking down of Garret might lead to

heretic, too,

young man at once, an

step that might cost you dear w

ds long since, when I was a youthful clerk and you a regent master; and also because I have a great friendship for Dalaber here, and for Clarke, and for others known to you, and who would suffer grief, and fall perhaps into some peril were you to be taken. Also, I hold that it

ber's arm, and the latter, understanding the hint, went wit

roctors your dealings with Garret. Send him forth without delay. Let there be no dallying or tarrying. Look well to it; and if you have any forbidden books, let them be instantly destroyed. Keep nothing that can be used as evidence against you, fo

" cried Anth

th dangerous persons. Send Garret away forthwith, burn your books, and settle once more to your rightful studies. You have played wi