Page:The Rebellion in the Cevennes (Volume 1).djvu/61

Rh divine inspiration because it is opposed to the king and the clergy; and still less can they be possessed by the devil, in as much as they speak and sing only spiritual things and do not as yet know the ways of that gentleman, neither, say they, could it proceed from fits, or any other bodily infirmity, but it was to them something quite unheard of and new; it may well be termed new, and, therefore, must appropriately be called fanaticism and the people denominated fanatics?" "There may be many things," interrupted the huntsman hastily, "that are inexplicable; with your reverence’s permission, my opinion is, that they are all bewitched, for, if you have no objection, that is the easiest explanation of the matter; therefore, there is no such great injustice in burning them—always excepting Mr. Cavalier, for whom I should be very sorry—and the reason which might tolerate such proceedings is, that they may not by degrees infect the whole community, for it is very evident that the evil is spreading