The Beggar's Bible by Louise Vernon

Author:Louise Vernon [Vernon, Louise A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780836117325
Publisher: MennoMedia
Published: 1971-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

7

The Gospel Doctor

Arnold tried to hide his dismay, but accusing thoughts raced through his mind. Why had he ever thought high and low rank could ever mix — even for a worthy, common cause like helping John Wycliffe? Timothy was certainly within the law to tell his father about a runaway bondman, But Timothy did not even show concern. In fact, he seemed quite happy.

“Don’t look at me like that, Arnold,” Timothy said in his usual calm way. “I had no idea your father and mother were here until one of the Poor Priests sent me to pick up his new russet robe and your father brought it out. Besides, my father has something to explain.”

Little by little the story took shape. Sir Malcolm had come to Oxford to find out what Timothy had heard about John Wycliffe’s enemies. He had found out that Timothy was at the tailor’s, had come there, and found the Huttons.

“But your father is now a free man,” he hastened to explain. The reeve had confessed to taking rent and tax money and exchanging white tally sticks for it, and even now was in the stocks with hands and feet dangling.

Father and Mother had gone first to London, had heard Wycliffe preach there about the gospel, and had come to Oxford to be near him and help if they could.

By this time, the tailor himself stood listening at the door. Dame Margot and Lucy peeked in, and when the tailor invited Father to stay on permanently to help with the orders — more orders than I can handle. You’re a godsend, and you can have all the russet robes to tailor” — Arnold felt a strength and inner peace he had never known before. God was really on their side!

Arnold remembered something. “What about the letter?”

“Timothy gave it to me,” Sir Malcolm said. “I’m taking it right now to Sir John, and then I’m leaving for London. I was to have met Sir John there this week, but he was apparently detained here. Sometimes I wish he would just stay in his room and write, but between his teaching and his preaching, he’s really stirring everyone up. If he would just realize that he has enemies!”

Later, Timothy came to Dame Margot’s with startling news. “Someone stole the letter from my father

— right there at the hall. He didn’t even get to show it to Sir John, and now Father has gone to London. He’s really worried, and thinks it would be a good idea, Arnold, if you would stay with me as if you were a servant. We’ve got to find out who is sending reports of his lectures to prelates all over England.”

Timothy was more upset than Arnold had ever seen him.

“Father said Sir John’s name was on everyone’s lips, and he heard the students talk about some of the astonishing things Sir John says,” Timothy continued.

“Like what?” Lucy asked.

“Well, like saying that the bread and wine in the mass are not the body of Christ.

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