Exiled for the Faith | Page 7

fearful one in the eyes of their judges," answered Maitre Leroux.
"They have been worshipping God according to the dictates of their
consciences, and were found assembled together in a house at Meaux,
listening to the gospel of the mild and loving Saviour. They have
already been put to the torture to compel them to recant and betray
their associates, but it has not produced the desired effect. In vain their
advocate has pleaded their cause. Listen! the judge is about to
pronounce their sentence."
Dreadful indeed that was. With blasphemous expressions, which cannot
be repeated, the condemned were sentenced to be carried back to
Meaux; fourteen, after being again put to the torture, were to be burnt
alive in the market-place; most of the others were to be hung up by
their shoulders during the execution of their brethren, and then to be
flogged and imprisoned for life in a monastery, while the remainder
were to receive somewhat less severe, though still grievous punishment.
The hardy young Scot almost turned sick with horror and indignation
as he heard the sentence; and putting his hand to his sword, he was
about to cry out and demand, in the name of justice, that instead of
being punished, the prisoners should be released, when his companion
grasped him by the arm, whispering, "Be calm, my friend; such events
are so common in France, that we have grown accustomed to them.
Hundreds have already died as these men are about to die; and we,
their countrymen, have been compelled to look on without daring to
raise our voices in their cause, or, as you are inclined to do, to draw a
sword for their defence."

Maitre Leroux, after exchanging a few sentences in an undertone with
three or four people they met, whose sad countenances showed the
interest they took in the condemned, led his young friend from the
so-called hall of justice. On their way they looked into the magnificent
church of Notre Dame. Priests in gorgeous dresses were chanting mass;
music was pealing through the building, and incense was ascending to
the roof.
"Impious mockery," muttered Nigel. "Well may Calvin and John Knox
desire the overthrow of such a system, and desire to supplant it by the
true faith of the Gospel."
"Hush! hush! my young friend," whispered Maitre Leroux, hurrying
him out of the church, regretting that he had entered it. "Though many
may think as you do, it's dangerous to utter such opinions in this
place."
"Can nothing be done to save these poor men?" asked Nigel. "Surely
the king cannot desire the destruction of his subjects?"
"The king, like Gallio, cares for none of these things. He is taught to
believe that the priests are the best supporters of his crown: and, at all
events, he knows that they allow him full licence in the indulgence of
his pleasures, which the Protestants, he supposes, would be less
inclined to do."
"I would that I were out of this city of Paris, and away from France
itself," said Nigel.
"Many think and feel as you do, and are acting upon it," answered the
steward. "Already many thousand men of science and clever artisans
have left, to carry their knowledge and industry to other lands; and
others, in all directions, are preparing to follow. You will hear more
about the matter when you visit the admiral, and my good master, who
does not look unmoved on such proceedings. More on the subject it
would not become me to say. Not long ago an edict was issued, by
which all the old laws on heresy were revived, it being the resolution of
the king to purge and clear the country of all those who are deemed

heretics. Magistrates are ordered to search unceasingly for them, and
to make domiciliary visits in quest of forbidden books, while the
informer is to obtain one-third of the heretic's confiscated property.
Should a person be acquitted of heresy in any ordinary court of justice,
he may be again tried before an ecclesiastical tribunal, thus depriving
him of all chances of escape. Even interference on behalf of a heretic is
made penal, and should a person be suspected, he must exhibit a
certificate of orthodoxy, or run the risk of being condemned. You see,
therefore, young sir, that I am right in recommending caution as to
what you say; not that these edicts have the effect expected, for
Calvinism increases rapidly, and the stream of emigration continues
from all parts of the kingdom."
They walked on in silence, Nigel meditating on what he had heard.
"Some fresh air will do you good after the scenes we have witnessed,"
observed Maitre Leroux. "We will take a turn in the Pre-aux-Clercs. It
is but a short distance past the Invalides."