rcely is peace
once more brought into the Church," sighed Erast, "than we are again
dragged into a most dreadful warfare."

"No one who knows you," said Belier heartily, "will believe your
enemies' statement, that you have made common cause with the
blasphemers. I do not approve of your opposition to the Church
discipline. A Church without discipline is in my opinion no Church and
no Body of Christ. But I know, that you combat the thirst for power,
not the intention of purifying and edifying the body politic."

Erastus held out his hand. "I thank you, noble friend," he said
feelingly. "In Geneva and Scotland, where no evangelical ruler existed,
the Theologians deserved thanks when they took on themselves the
maintenance of order. Here such a necessity does not exist. We have no
Maria Stuart, no Guises to struggle against, but are blessed with a
christian, evangelical ruler. Olevianus and Ursinus do not wish to
guide the populace while standing in their midst, as did the Prophets
of France and Scotland, but wish to play at being Calvin and Knox
behind their desks, and that will not answer. They are strangers in our
land, and have not a hundred people to follow after them."

"That may be so," said Belier evasively. "Nevertheless come what may;
the man who by his skill and care saved my wife from death, will ever
find this house open to him, even if we do not agree in matters
relating to the welfare of the community." They parted with a hearty
shake of the hand.

CHAPTER XI.

With the arrest of Sylvanus days of trouble began for the good Erastus.
The report of a great unitarian conspiracy was purposely spread about
by the adherents of the Church discipline, who threatened both the life
and honor of their opponents. Sunday after Sunday Olevianus poured down
the vials of his wrath from the pulpit against the blasphemers who trod
the honor of God under foot, and against the Jurists and Officials
whose pride refused to grant to the Church that which was due to Her.
This was especially aimed at Erastus and the philologist Xylander, and
re-acted the more on Lydia's father, who to strengthen his party
against Olevianus had mixed himself up too intimately with the ever
ambiguous Inspector of Ladenburg. It is true that these doubtful
conferences were easy to explain through Xylander's admiration for
Sylvanus' good wine, moreover the latter had always wisely kept back
any writings which mi