“The question between us, gracious Madam,” said Pole, “is whether, on the score of humanity and policy, it would not be better to deal leniently rather than severely with those who profess heretical opinions. I allude particularly to the ministers of the Reformed Church who have just been excommunicated and degraded, and delivered over to the secular power, and who, unless mercy be shown them, will suffer a dreadful death.” Mary’s brow darkened. “Surely your Eminence would not pardon them if they persist in their heresies?” she cried. “I would not put them to death,” rejoined Pole, “but would endeavour to convince them of their errors by argument and instruction. Failing in this, I would resort to such measures as might be deemed best adapted to meet the exigencies of the case—but those measures should be tempered with mercy.” “I did not expect such opinions as these from your Eminence,” observed Mary. “The enemies of our faith must be destroyed, or they will destroy us. A single diseased sheep will taint the whole flock. If you have an unsound limb, the surgeon will tell you that for the safety of the body it must be cut off. The preservation, therefore, of the Catholic Church requires that these tares amidst the corn be rooted up and cast into the fire.” “These false brethren are seditious as well as heretical,” said Philip sternly; “rebels against the Queen, and enemies to the Church. No mercy ought to be shown them.” “Your Eminence perceives that their Majesties are of my opinion,” said Gardiner to the Cardinal. “But has not our Church deep wrongs to avenge? Have we not suffered stripes and persecution from these heretics when they were in power? Have not I myself been deprived of my revenues, and imprisoned within the Tower, with the sentence of death hanging over my head, for years, until happily released by her Majesty?” “At least, your life was spared,” observed Pole. “It was spared more from fear than favour,” retorted Gardiner. “But had King Edward lived another year, nay, a few months longer, I should not have been here now to protest against leniency towards such bitter enemies. One of the latest acts of Cranmer was to frame a sanguinary code against the professors of the ancient faith, which had it been put in force, would have been fraught with fearful consequences; but ere that code became law, King Edward died, and the weapon sharpened for our destruction fell from the maker’s hands.” “To strike off his own head,” cried Philip, fiercely. “Your Eminence would scarcely extend your clemency to this arch-offender?” he added to the Cardinal. “I would pardon him, if he recanted,” replied Pole.