RESPONSA
53
SCHOLARUM
until 22 in hunting , falconry, dicing and card-playing. (The eldest brother died before the respondent was 20 ; his inheritance passed to the second brother after 2 or 3 years costly litigation with the deceased's wife, who had made her husband sell much property in the North and the South to enrich her children by her first marriage. ) When the respondent was about 21 , John Pounde, a priest , godchild of the respondent's father, came to his mother's house and examined the respondent and his mother and sister, in the absence of his brothers. He discovered that they were not heretics but schismatics, since they gave Catholic answers to his questions, thoughthey were not prepared to worship God in the correct way. He told them that he had an excellent but expensive book, Dr. Bristow's Motives. The respondent replied that the price was immaterial, and bought the book. By reading it constantly he became convinced of the truth of Catholicism, and ready to argue with any heretic ; but not yet prepared to becomea Catholic . A year later the respondent with his younger brother, on his way to put out at interest £100 given him by his mother , was warmly entertained at the house of John Pounde's mother . John himself was absent, but his brother Thomas now in the Tower tried in vain, while at supper, to convert his mother to Catholicism. She left the table in annoyance ( and in fact remained unconverted until her death) whereupon Thomas turned his attentionto the two guests. The respondent said that he knew that redemption was not to be found outside the Catholic faith . " Why do you not accept it then? asked Thomas, and received no reply. You think that you will spend your youth in pleasure, and serve God in your old age. But suppose that a tree or a rock falls on you in the road or some other suddendeath overtakes you, what will happen ? You will go to hell on the instant. The respondent, converted, replied that he desired nothing more than to become a member of the Catholic Church . Take counsel of your pillow said Thomas. Next morning , since the respondent's mind was unchanged, Thomas gave him a prayerbook while he wrote letters with whichhe sent him to the house ofthe Catholic widow of Sir Thomas Guildford. There the respondent was reconciled by Mr. Stevens or Stevenson , the former secretary of Bishop Jewell of Salisbury. He was advised by him to take service with some noble Catholic, in view of the difficulties concerning fasting etc. consequenton living among heretics. Whilethe respondent was performing his penance in his chamber, the priest discussed the matter with Lady Guildford, who offered the choice of taking service with her brother, William Shelley, or her own son , who was 12 and needed a tutor, or with herself, or with Viscount Montague. The respondent thanked her and said that he would await the advice of Thomas Pounde and other friends ; but, for himself, he would rather serve herself than any other on account of her kindness. This happened about a month before Christmas ; Thomas Pounde told the respondent to return to him about the feast of St. Thomas
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