[531] His last words only are recorded. He was refused the
communion, not perhaps as a special act of cruelty, but because the laws of
the church would not allow the holy thing to be profaned by the touch of a
heretic. When he was told that it would not be suffered, he said "_crede et
manducasti_"--"faith is the communion;" and so passed away; a very noble
person, so far as the surviving features of his character will let us
judge; one who, if his manhood had fulfilled the promise of his youth,
would have taken no common part in the Reformation.
The remaining brethren were then dispersed. Some were sent home to their
friends--others, Anthony Dalaber among them, were placed on their trial,
and being terrified at their position, recanted, and were sentenced to do
penance. Ferrars was brought to Oxford for the occasion, and we discern
indistinctly (for the mere fact is all which survives) a great fire at
Carfax; a crowd of spectators, and a procession of students marching up
High Street with fagots on their shoulders, the solemn beadles leading them
with gowns and maces. The ceremony was repeated to which Dr. Barnes had
been submitted at St. Paul's. They were taken three times round the fire,
throwing in each first their fagot, and then some one of the offending
books, in token that they repented and renounced their errors.
Thus was Oxford purged of heresy. The state of innocence which Dr. London
pathetically lamented[532] was restored, and the heads of houses had peace
till their rest was broken by a ruder storm.
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