the greateſt wickedneſs: This the pious Deidamia wiſely improved, and ſo effectually wrought with them, by her warm and zealcus diſcourſes, that through the operation of God's holy Spirit aſſiſting her, they were both brought over to the embracing of the truth.
The biſhop's examiners being diſappointed, returned back without their errand; upon which the biſhop threatened to excommunicate both Alanſon and his family, and was ſoon after as good as his word. Upon this Alanſon poſts away to the king, who was then at Marley, where he complained of the injury done him by the biſhop of Rheims, both in excommunicating him, and protecting a villainous criminal from juſtice. But it ſeems the biſhop had been before-hand with him, and made his complaint firſt. For the king received him very coldly: and told him, the biſhop of Rheims was a good man, and he left his buſineſs wholly to him. On which Alanſon returned home much diſcontented, and found that in his abſence freſh ſearch had been made in his houſe for his lady, though without ſucceſs. Then he went to the biſhop himſelf, and boldly charged him, with entertain ing a wicked perſon to the prejudice of his honour; telling him who he was, and declared his crimes, deſiring he might be brought forth, and his lady ſhould appear. But the biſhop refuſing this, and telling him, his lady was accuſed of hereſy, and be of countenancing it. The Count in a kind of holy anger, told him, 'That religion could not be of God, which encouraged villainy, and ſought the deſtruction of them that were virtuous.' At this the biſhop ſtormed, and told him, 'That he ſhould be anſwered in another manner.' And ſoon after, he had ſe-
