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Protestantism in the Waldensian Valleys - James Aitken Wylie

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<strong>the</strong> distaff. His steps were tracked by <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>quisitor,<br />

even amid <strong>the</strong>se wild solitudes. He was dragged to<br />

Tur<strong>in</strong>, to answer for <strong>the</strong> crime of sell<strong>in</strong>g Genevese<br />

books. His defense before his judges discovered an<br />

admirable courage and wisdom.<br />

"You have been caught <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> act," said his<br />

judge, "of sell<strong>in</strong>g books that conta<strong>in</strong> heresy. What<br />

say you?"<br />

"If <strong>the</strong> Bible is heresy to you, it is truth to me,"<br />

replied <strong>the</strong> prisoner.<br />

"But you use <strong>the</strong> Bible to deter men from go<strong>in</strong>g<br />

to mass," urged <strong>the</strong> judge.<br />

"If <strong>the</strong> Bible deters men from go<strong>in</strong>g to mass,"<br />

responded Bar<strong>the</strong>lemy, "it is a proof that God<br />

disapproves of it, and that <strong>the</strong> mass is idolatry."<br />

The judge, deem<strong>in</strong>g it expedient to make short<br />

shrift with such a heretic, exclaimed, "Retract."<br />

"I have spoken only truth," said <strong>the</strong> bookseller,<br />

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