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Protestantism in the Waldensian Valleys - James Aitken Wylie

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from <strong>the</strong>ir visit to <strong>the</strong> Reformers of Switzerland.<br />

On <strong>the</strong>ir way back, at Dijon, suspicion, from some<br />

cause or o<strong>the</strong>r, fell on Pierre Masson. He was<br />

thrown <strong>in</strong>to prison, and ultimately condemned and<br />

burned. His fellow-deputy was allowed to go on his<br />

way. George Morel, bear<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> answers of <strong>the</strong><br />

Reformers, and especially <strong>the</strong> letters of<br />

Oecolampadius, happily arrived <strong>in</strong> safety <strong>in</strong><br />

Provence.<br />

The documents he brought with him were much<br />

canvassed. Their contents caused <strong>the</strong>se two ancient<br />

Churches m<strong>in</strong>gled joy and sorrow; <strong>the</strong> former,<br />

however, greatly predom<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g. The news<br />

touch<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> numerous body of Christians, now<br />

appear<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> many lands, so full of knowledge, and<br />

faith, and courage, was literally astound<strong>in</strong>g. The<br />

confessors of <strong>the</strong> Alps thought that <strong>the</strong>y were alone<br />

<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world; every successive century saw <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

numbers th<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g, and <strong>the</strong>ir spirit grow<strong>in</strong>g less<br />

resolute; <strong>the</strong>ir ancient enemy, on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand,<br />

was steadfastly widen<strong>in</strong>g her dom<strong>in</strong>ion and<br />

streng<strong>the</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g her sway. A little longer, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

imag<strong>in</strong>ed, and all public faithful profession of <strong>the</strong><br />

63

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