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[81] up His dwelling in his own heart, and for the testimony of Him he now suffered. ‘I believe,’ said one of the ministers, ‘in a Christ who was never in any man's heart.’ ‘I know no such Christ,’ rejoined the prisoner; ‘the Christ I witness to fills Heaven and Earth, and dwells in the hearts of all true believers.’ On being asked why he allowed the women to adore and worship him, he said he ‘denied bowing to the creature; but if they beheld the power of Christ, wherever it was, and bowed to it, he could not resist it, or say aught against it.’ After some further parley, the reverend visitors grew angry, threw the written record of the conversation in the fire, and left the prison, to report the prisoner incorrigible. On the 27th of the month, he was again led out of his cell and placed upon the pillory. Thousands of citizens were gathered around, many of them earnestly protesting against the extreme cruelty of his punishment. Robert Rich, an influential and honorable merchant, followed him up to the pillory with expressions of great sympathy, and held him by the hand while the red-hot iron was pressed through his tongue and the brand was placed on his forehead. He was next sent to Bristol, and publicly whipped through the principal streets of that city; and again brought back to the Bridewell prison, where he remained about two years, shut out from all intercourse with his fellow-beings. At the expiration of this period, he was released by order of Parliament. In the solitude of his cell, the angel of patience had been with him.
Boston and New York, Houghton, Mifflin and company, 1888-89.
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