For the Faith

said John Clarke, with a very intent l

ere broke in with a quick impetuosity of manner, which seemed in keeping with his restless, mobile feat

his coil which has set London aflame and lighted the fire

the Scriptures in the vulgar tongue by the unlettered. I sa

" questioned the y

od. Popes elected by cardinals (and too often amid flagrant abuses) cannot truly be said to hold apostolic office direct from the Lord. No, I cannot see that point as others do. But let that pass. What I do maintain, and will hold to with certainty, is that in this

ong, mullioned window. "I have ever maintained that our Mother the Holy Church is a far more merciful and gentle and tolerant

. But it was as a Doctor of the Faculty of Medicine that he had distinguished himself; and although of late years he had done little in practising amongst the sick, and spent his time mainly in the study of his beloved Greek authors, yet his skill as a physician was held in high repute, and there were many among the heads of colleges who, when illness threatened them, invariably bes

f their birth. He had called the one Frideswyde, after the patron saint of Oxford, at whose shrine so many reputed miracles had been wroug

uilding now no longer in existence, and although not extensive, was ample enough for the needs of a small household, whilst the old garden and fish ponds, the nut walk and sunny green lawn with its ancient sundial, were a cons

ted roof was beautifully traced, whilst the long, mullioned window, on the wide cushioned seat on which the sisters sat with arms entwined, listening breat

against its growth as a university; but no one could deny the peculiar charm of its situation during the summer months, se

aughters of the house, with the look of one who has the right to claim intimacy. As a matter of fact, Hugh Fitzjames was the cousin of these girls, and for many years had been a member of Dr. Langton's household. Now he was living at St. Alban Hall, and Dalaber was hi

f Martin Luther had found their way into the country, despite the efforts of those in authority to cheek their introduction and circulation. And

the hearts of his readers. It seemed to show beyond dispute that in the prevailing corruption, which had gradually sapped so much of the true life and light from the Church Catholic, money was the ruling power. Money could purchase masses to win s

lf. It was small wonder, then, that those in authority in this and other lands sought by every means in their power to put down the circulation of books which might have such mischievous results. And as one of Martin Luther's main arguments was that if men only read and studied the Scriptures for themselves in their own mother tongue, whatever that tongue might be, they would have p

and dangerous opinions would not penetrate to the twin seats

to the expenses of the great undertaking. Now a fair building stood upon the ancient site of the priory; and two years before, the first canons of Cardinal College (as Christ Church used to be called) were brought thither, and established in their new and most commodious quarters. And amongst the first of these so-called Canons or Senior Fellows of the Foundation was Master John Clarke, a Master of Arts at Cambridge, who was also a student of divinity, and

it too much for granted. For so it was that of the eight Cambridge men thus removed to Oxford, six were distinctly "tainted" by the new opinions so fast gaining ground in the country, and though still deeply attached to the Holy Catholic Church, were b

efforts to sway the minds of those about him, but there was something in the personality of the man which seemed magnetic in its properties; and as a Regent Master in Arts, hi

where they had pursued their studies as best they might; and at Poghley, where some scholars had been staying, John Clark

Clarke and some of his friends. They had Anthony Dalaber and Hugh Fitzjames in the same house where they were lodging; and Clarke would come and go at will, th

e world. I have seldom met a finer intellect, seldom a man of such singleness of mind and purity of spirit. Small wonder that students flock to his lectures and desire to be taught of him. Heaven protect him from the peri

ugh the meadows from Cardinal College to the Bridge House. On many a pleasant evening, his work being done, the young master would sally forth to see his friends; and one pair of soft eyes had learned to glow and sparkle at si

sons by superintending the education of his twin daughters, and instructing them not only in such elementary matters as reading and writing (often thought more than sufficient for a woman's whole stock in trade of learning), but in the higher branches of knowledge--in gramma

than with those more personal and burning questions of the day, which had set so many thinking men to work to inquire of their own consciences how far they c

ve no lectures; he lived the life of a recluse, highly esteemed and respected. He would have been a bold man who would have spoken ill of him or his household, and therefore it seemed to him that he could very well afford

hey could not bear the thought that their Holy Mother was to be despoiled, and the Body of Christ rent in pieces amongst them. No; their earnest and ardent wish was that this purging of abuses, this much-needed reformation, should come from within, should b

a quick, responsive fire, as

nothing of. 'Search the scriptures, for in them ye have life,' spoke our Lord. 'Blessed is he that readeth the words of the prophecy of this book,' wrote St.

the light," spoke H

pon him with a

espect. But there are others--hundreds and thousands--who cannot share our privileges, who do not understand the words they hear when they are able to come to public worship. What i

criptures, even were they placed i

dangers which the church has seen, and has striven against. I will not say that the danger may not be great. Holy things are sometimes defiled

athering gloom could not hide. Magdalen seeme

aring errors, and errors which feed the heresies of th

cannot all have been through accident or ignorance, but must have been inserted with a purpose; and I hold that no man is guiltless who dares to tamper with the Word of God, even though he think he may be doing God service thereby.

f the Scriptures, are there not--in all

stly at Clarke, as though his words were words of

which have set London in commotion--these and the writings of Martin Luther, which the men from the Stillyard have brought up the river in great quantities. But be the errors never so great, I call it a shameful and a sinful thing, one that the Holy Church of ol

movements. "I hate the thing myself, yet I would fain see it, too. It would be something to remem

e ceased for the present. Come with me, and let us see this sight, and bring back

was grave an

during the next week, but I had not thought to

e; for verily I believe that the church will awaken soon, and like a giant refreshed with wine will show what is in her, and will gather her children about her as a hen gathers her chickens under

was falling, and he spoke his farewells t

into his, as his dwelt with a

going to London?

e. But at least I am a stranger there, whilst here any man who asks may know

together, and Magdalen turne

did he

ed, but he also

l has threatened those who dare to speak and think the thing they hold to be truth, when that opinion is not shared by those in high places.