[527] 'Sputis madidatus et pugnis contritus.'—Spanheim, _Geneva restituta_. Froment, _Gestes_, pp. 5-7. Choupard and Roset, MSS. &c. [528] _Le Levain du Calvinisme_, p. 17. [529] 'Ictus tamen divina bonitate aversus, Deo servum suum certo periculo eripiente.'—Spanheim, _Geneva restituta_, p. 43. Froment, _Gestes de Genève_, p. 3. Roset MS. liv. iii. ch. 1. [530] La Sœur J. de Jussie, _Le Levain du Calvinisme_ p. 48. [531] La sœur J. de Jussie, _Le Levain_, &c., pp. 47, 48. [532] The raging winds rush through the hollow wound, And dance aloft in air, and skim along the ground; The cables crack, the sailors' fearful cries Ascend. DRYDEN. [533] "Pour le transpercer au travers du corps."—La Sœur de Jussie, p. 48. CHAPTER IX. A JOURNEY TO THE VALLEYS OF PIEDMONT, AND STRUGGLES NEAR NEUCHATEL. (END OF 1532.) [Sidenote: FAREL AND FROMENT.] Farel expelled from Geneva, with a heart full of love for those whom he had been obliged to quit, meditated on the means of evangelising them, and like a skilful general, was preparing even during his retreat for a new and more successful struggle. After having saluted the Christians of Orbe and Grandson he departed for the village of Yvonand, on the southern shore of the lake of Neuchatel, where dwelt a youthful Christian Anthony Froment by name, born at Val de Frières in Dauphiny in 1510, and consequently a year younger than Calvin and his countryman Farel. The reformer invited several evangelists to meet him in this village, and about the middle of October there came Olivetan, who had been unable to stay in Geneva after the departure of his two friends; Adam, Martin (probably Martin Gonin the Waldensian), and Guido (who must not be confounded with the Belgian reformer Guido or Guy von Brès) who with Farel, Saunier, Froment, and others formed a little council. Farel gave an account of his mission: he described his journey to the valleys of Piedmont, and the stormy reception he had met with at Geneva. They all looked with interest on the fugitive missionary who had escaped as by a miracle from the violence of the Genevan priests. Froment in particular could not take his eyes off the reformer; every word of Farel's made a deep impression on him, and disgusted with the ministers of popery, he pitied the fate of the huguenots deprived of God's word by the intrigues of the clergy. Farel, fixing his eyes on him, said: 'Go and try if you can find an entrance into Geneva to preach there.'[534] Froment was disturbed and speechless. He possessed learning and talents; but he was young and without experience, and wanted that perseverance and firmness by which other reformers were distinguished. His feelings were sensitive, his imagination was ardent, but his character was uneven and rather fickle. He is believed to have been drawn to the Reformation more by witnessing the excesses of Rome than by the inner charms of the Word of God.