Good Dr. Eales was failing, and the tidings of the King's
execution were a blow that he never recovered. Mrs. Lightfoot had
tears in her eyes when Stead asked after him, week by week, and she
could only say that he was feebler, and spent all his days in prayer
--often with tears.
At last came peace. He lay still and calm, and sent a message that
young Kenton should be brought to him for a last farewell.
And as Stead stood sorrowful and awed by his bed side, he bade the
youth never despair or fall away from his hope of the restoration of
the Church.
"Remember," he said, "she is founded on a rock, and the gates of hell
shall never prevail against her. She shall stand forth for evermore
as the moon, which wanes but to wax again; and I have good hope that
thou wilt see it, my son. He that shall endure unto the end, the
same shall be saved."
Then Dr. Eales pointed to a small parcel of books, which he had
caused Mrs. Lightfoot to put together, telling Steadfast that he had
selected them alike for devotion and for edification, and that if he
studied them, he would have no doubt when he might deliver up his
trust to a true priest of the Church.
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