Froment and Alexander, quartered on both sides of the Rhone, preached the Word in private houses with such power that the new faith extended far and wide, ‘like the layers of a vine;’[409] the old stocks producing young shoots, which took root and formed other stocks. The priests were alarmed, and exclaimed that if those doctrines continued to be so preached, all the country would soon be infested with the sect. They applied to the bishop, who was at his castle of May—restless, agitated, and reproaching himself with his disgraceful flight. Wishing to redeem that fault, he replied on the 24th of October, forbidding any preaching in Geneva except according to ancient custom. The exulting priests presented these episcopal letters to the council. The bishop’s cowardly behavior had estranged the magistrates. ‘_Preach the Gospel_,’ answered the council, ‘_and say nothing which cannot be proved by Holy Scripture_.’ These important words, which gave the victory to the Reformation, may still be read in the official minutes. Great was the joy among the reformed. They saw in these words a decree which made evangelical Christianity a lawful religion[410] at Geneva (as at Rome in the third and fourth centuries), and authorized them to form a Church which should be free without being dominant. The same fact has reappeared at other times and in other countries. From that day, all who had any leaning towards the Gospel would go to the house of Maisonneuve or of some other huguenot leader, and sit down in the largest room. Presently the preacher would enter, take his place before a table, and usually (as it would seem) under the mantel-piece of the large projecting fireplace. He would then proclaim the Word of God. These evangelists ‘_did not fret themselves_,’ they did not speak with bitterness like some others, and make a great noise; but invited souls to approach Christ without fear, because he is _meek and lowly in heart_; and such simple genial preaching attracted all who heard it. The bishop exclaimed that it was only ‘painted language,’ and ‘sham tenderness;’ but the number of hearers became so considerable that the two missionaries were forced to preach in the streets and cross-ways of the city at the Molard, the foot of Coutance, and other places. As soon as they appeared anywhere a numerous assembly gathered round them, the hearers crowded one upon another, and the living words addressed to them bore more fruit than scholastic or trivial sermons delivered in fine churches to hearers dozing in comfortable seats. ‘These preachings in houses, streets, and cross-ways,’ said Froment himself, ‘are not without danger to life, but are a great advancement to the Word, and detriment to popery.’[411]