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persecuted by an ungodly world. They told him, also, of a great number of others who were animated with the same faith.

A young student, who was also a private teacher in Augsburg, was in the habit of hearing Boos and his friends spoken of in very opprobrious terms. But several things which were imputed to them as heretical or criminal, appeared to him commendable. The conse

quence was, he was anxious to become acquainted with an individual who was so much spoken against, and at last obtained an interview with Boos.

Staublein (that was the student's name) found Boos a very different man from what he had been represented to be. He visited him frequently, and by degrees the truth made a lodgment in his heart. A student, like every one who is devoted almost exclusively to intellectual pursuits, often requires a much longer time to understand the doctrines of Christ, and to submit himself to the obedience of faith, than the simple-hearted artisan. At length, like St. Paul, he could say, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" Possessing considerable abilities, and a teachable disposition, he appeared to be fitted for much usefulness. His health, however, declined, and he was obliged to relinquish his studies, and return to his native place in the country, where he continued to labour, as far as his strength would permit, for two years, when he finished his earthly course.

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CHAPTER VI.

Unexpected liberation-Settlement at Langeneifnach-Again summoned before the Ecclesiastical Court.

Boos, to his great surprise, was set at liberty in January, 1798, after eight months' imprisonment, and four months' detention within the city walls. He was very much indebted on this occasion to the good offices of father Ulric, with whom he had been repeating his theological studies. This venerable man declared that Boos was a better theologian than himself, and warmly pleaded his cause with his judges. In consequence, he not only regained his personal liberty, but was permitted to resume the pastoral functions. The appointment he received was at Langeneifnach, about seven leagues from Augsburg; the vicar of the parish was Koch, formerly governor of the ecclesiastical house of correction at Goeggingen.

On being settled in his new charge, he wrote to his friends at Augsburg as follows:-" By the grace of God, I am perfectly well. I preached again for the first time here on February 18. The Lord prospered his word, as spoken by me. Both I and the congregation

were deeply moved. There seem to be some well-disposed persons here who are in earnest about salvation. . . . But we shall be brought back to Jerusalem to pay for the wine we have drunk in communion with one another; (that is, we shall be persecuted for that spiritual joy which we have had in communion with the Lord.). Well, if it cannot be otherwise, if we must endure suffering and martyrdom, we will not hesitate to return. My reason for saying this is, that, like a burnt child, I dread the fire, and my superior has received orders to keep a watchful eye over all my words and actions, and especially my correspondence; which he has already shown his readiness to do. But this shall not alter my determination to preach the doctrine of the cross. Only pray that we may joyfully suffer the reproach of Christ, and not draw back, but crucify our earthly and sensual desires, since flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God."

In another letter to his friend Staublein, he writes: "I rejoice to believe that the holy Scripture comforts you as it does myself. I am quite convinced that, in order to become what we ought to be, we require three schools. First, the repentance-school of John the Baptist, which baptizes with water, and purifies from gross and outward sin. Secondly, the cross-school of Jesus, which mocks, scourges, crucifies, kills, and buries our Adam, whether gross or refined. Thirdly, the fire-school of the Holy Ghost, which baptizes with fire and

love, seizing and consuming our most subtle corruptions. Whoever has studied in these schools, let him come and be our teacher. Whoever is ignorant of them, let him keep at a distance from us, and go where he pleases. The Bible informs us respecting these three schools. God grant us his Holy Spirit as an interpreter !

"The brethren at S. would have written to you long ago, but they were afraid of those about you. Tell them not to tremble; it is the weakness of their faith. We must go again to Jerusalem, (so they call Augsburg since the Christian high court is there, which crucifies Christ, as formerly at Jerusalem ;) there is no exemption for the disciples of Jesus. An untried faith may be no faith; any one may have a faith of the fancy or of the lips; it is, therefore, worthless. You have found the truth of my favourite saying-Among children we may meet with men, but among men with no children.' Truly the Father will have us to be children, or we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, but we must be content to become fools in the eyes of the world.

"Do not think it hard if you are not always enjoying the light, but are occasionally in darkness and sorrow. It is thus with myself; and it must be so. The salt of the sufferings of Jesus must be mingled with our whole life. And you must not attempt to free yourself by force from the pressure of your trials, but wait till He comes, who will shed light on

what by nature is cold and dark. Many thousands followed Jesus, and rejoiced in his light, but when the hour of darkness came, they forsook him. Surely you will not act thus? May the grace of Jesus be with you!"

Boos had scarcely enjoyed a short season of repose for about two months at Langeneifnach, and begun to see some fruits of his labours, when his adversaries once more took the field against him. The abbot of Kempten, and the other prelates and deans in the country, protested loudly against his release, and demanded that he should be imprisoned for the rest of his days. They endeavoured to justify this iniquitous severity on the ground of an intercepted letter from Boos to one of his persecuted fellow-Christians. In their prejudiced eyes, the mere expressions of sympathy with his brethren, constituted a crime. Accordingly, he was summoned to leave Langeneifnach, and repair to Augsburg. He reached that city April 3, 1798. But hesitating whether to appear before his judges or to take to flight, he consulted the friend with whom he lodged, who gave his opinion in the words of our Lord, "If they persecute you in one city, flee ye to another." In accordance with this advice, he took refuge with pastor Winkelhofer, at Munich, who concealed him for three weeks in his own chamber. He then removed from one place to another, as no one dared to harbour him long; but wherever he went he disseminated

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