CHAPTER IV.
Study with Mr. Forestier—His persecutions—Wife's firmness—Return home—Pray with neighbors—Absent at Easter—Poor people assemble in the woods—A spy—Warrants issued—A mason taken up—Recantation—Repentance—My return home—Warrant against me—Grand Provost and Archers appear—Prison—Permitted to pray.
Having made all necessary arrangements for the management of my property, I went once more to the house of my brother-in-law, Mr. Forestier, at St. Mesme in Anguomois. I knew that I should find in him an able and willing friend, to help me in the prosecution of my theological studies. My sole wish now was to dedicate all the talents, God had bestowed on me, to his glory.
I spent a year with Mr. Forestier, during which time he took great pains with me. He taught me to prepare sermons, and showed me how far it was desirable to use Commentaries for such purposes. When he thought me qualified, he allowed me to preach sometimes in his church.
While I was with him, a complaint was lodged against him that he had received a Papist into the communion of the Protestant Church, contrary to the king's edict. Upon this accusation, he was seized and carried to prison with much degradation: he was placed on horseback, with his legs tied together under the horse's belly.
If you had but seen the Papists of Angoulême collected
