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What should he do in his brother's house? He would feel no better than a layman. Study? What for? He would have no sermons to preach and collect into a goodly volume for issue with a Lewes bookseller, as he had done already and had meant to do again. . . . La! he had too much conscience. Why couldn't he be like his predecessor whose tomb lay under his feet as he reached for his surplice on its nail behind the pulpit? Nicholas Pecksall had been made Vicar of Leasan in 1556 under Queen Mary and had held his living till King Jamie came to the throne in 1603. Like most of the neighbouring clergy at that period he changed from Catholic to Protestant with, apparently, no more trouble than a man changes from his summer to his winter coat. Why couldn't Gervase Alard be like him? Because maybe he was a better man—a man of his oath, a man of his conscience, though with a sound, sensible, theological conscience, unlike some. . . .

"To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses though we have rebelled against him, neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he set before us. Dearly beloved brethren . . ."