第2章

45

ButthereisnounionbetweenthePrinceoflightandtheprinceofdarkness，andtherecanbenounionbetweentheirfollowers。WhenChristiansconsentedtounitewiththosewhowerebuthalfconvertedfrompaganism，theyentereduponapathwhichledfurtherandfurtherfromthetruth。SatanexultedthathehadsucceededindeceivingsolargeanumberofthefollowersofChrist。Hethenbroughthispowertobearmorefullyuponthese，andinspiredthemtopersecutethosewhoremainedtruetoGod。NoneunderstoodsowellhowtoopposethetrueChristianfaithasdidthosewhohadoncebeenitsdefenders；andtheseapostateChristians，unitingwiththeirhalf-pagancompanions，directedtheirwarfareagainstthemostessentialfeaturesofthedoctrinesofChrist。

Itrequiredadesperatestruggleforthosewhowouldbefaithfultostandfirmagainstthedeceptionsandabominationswhichweredisguisedinsacerdotalgarmentsandintroducedintothechurch。TheBiblewasnotacceptedasthestandardoffaith。Thedoctrineofreligiousfreedomwastermedheresy，anditsupholderswerehatedandproscribed。

Afteralongandsevereconflict，thefaithfulfewdecidedtodissolveallunionwiththeapostatechurchifshestillrefusedtofreeherselffromfalsehoodandidolatry。TheysawthatseparationwasanabsolutenecessityiftheywouldobeythewordofGod。Theydarednottolerateerrorsfataltotheirownsouls，andsetanexamplewhichwouldimperilthefaithoftheirchildrenandchildren’schildren。TosecurepeaceandunitytheywerereadytomakeanyconcessionconsistentwithfidelitytoGod；buttheyfeltthatevenpeacewouldbetoodearlypurchasedatthesacrificeofprinciple。Ifunitycouldbesecuredonlybythecompromiseoftruthandrighteousness，thenlettherebedifference，andevenwar。

46

WellwoulditbeforthechurchandtheworldiftheprinciplesthatactuatedthosesteadfastsoulswererevivedintheheartsofGod’sprofessedpeople。ThereisanalarmingindifferenceinregardtothedoctrineswhicharethepillarsoftheChristianfaith。Theopinionisgainingground，that，afterall，thesearenotofvitalimportance。ThisdegeneracyisstrengtheningthehandsoftheagentsofSatan，sothatfalsetheoriesandfataldelusionswhichthefaithfulinagespastimperiledtheirlivestoresistandexpose，arenowregardedwithfavorbythousandswhoclaimtobefollowersofChrist。

TheearlyChristianswereindeedapeculiarpeople。Theirblamelessdeportmentandunswervingfaithwereacontinualreproofthatdisturbedthesinner’speace。Thoughfewinnumbers，withoutwealth，position，orhonorarytitles，theywereaterrortoevildoerswherevertheircharacteranddoctrineswereknown。Thereforetheywerehatedbythewicked，evenasAbelwashatedbytheungodlyCain。ForthesamereasonthatCainslewAbel，didthosewhosoughttothrowofftherestraintoftheHolySpirit，puttodeathGod’speople。ItwasforthesamereasonthattheJewsrejectedandcrucifiedtheSaviour——becausethepurityandholinessofHischaracterwasaconstantrebuketotheirselfishnessandcorruption。FromthedaysofChristuntilnowHisfaithfuldiscipleshaveexcitedthehatredandoppositionofthosewholoveandfollowthewaysofsin。

How，then，canthegospelbecalledamessageofpeace？WhenIsaiahforetoldthebirthoftheMessiah，heascribedtoHimthetitle，"PrinceofPeace。"

WhenangelsannouncedtotheshepherdsthatChristwasborn，theysangabovetheplainsofBethlehem:"GlorytoGodinthehighest，andonearthpeace，goodwilltowardmen。"Luke2:14。ThereisaseemingcontradictionbetweenthesepropheticdeclarationsandthewordsofChrist:"Icamenottosendpeace，butasword。"Matthew10:34。But，rightlyunderstood，thetwo47

areinperfectharmony。Thegospelisamessageofpeace。Christianityisasystemwhich，receivedandobeyed，wouldspreadpeace，harmony，andhappinessthroughouttheearth。ThereligionofChristwilluniteinclosebrotherhoodallwhoacceptitsteachings。ItwasthemissionofJesustoreconcilementoGod，andthustooneanother。ButtheworldatlargeareunderthecontrolofSatan，Christ’sbitterestfoe。Thegospelpresentstothemprinciplesoflifewhicharewhollyatvariancewiththeirhabitsanddesires，andtheyriseinrebellionagainstit。Theyhatethepuritywhichrevealsandcondemnstheirsins，andtheypersecuteanddestroythosewhowouldurgeuponthemitsjustandholyclaims。Itisinthissense——becausetheexaltedtruthsitbringsoccasionhatredandstrife——thatthegospeliscalledasword。

Themysteriousprovidencewhichpermitstherighteoustosufferpersecutionatthehandofthewickedhasbeenacauseofgreatperplexitytomanywhoareweakinfaith。SomeareevenreadytocastawaytheirconfidenceinGodbecauseHesuffersthebasestofmentoprosper，whilethebestandpurestareafflictedandtormentedbytheircruelpower。How，itisasked，canOnewhoisjustandmerciful，andwhoisalsoinfiniteinpower，toleratesuchinjusticeandoppression？Thisisaquestionwithwhichwehavenothingtodo。GodhasgivenussufficientevidenceofHislove，andwearenottodoubtHisgoodnessbecausewecannotunderstandtheworkingsofHisprovidence。SaidtheSaviourtoHisdisciples，foreseeingthedoubtsthatwouldpressupontheirsoulsindaysoftrialanddarkness:"RememberthewordthatIsaiduntoyou，Theservantisnotgreaterthanhislord。IftheyhavepersecutedMe，theywillalsopersecuteyou。"John15:20。JesussufferedforusmorethananyofHisfollowerscanbemadetosufferthroughthecrueltyofwickedmen。ThosewhoarecalledtoenduretortureandmartyrdomarebutfollowinginthestepsofGod’sdearSon。

48

"TheLordisnotslackconcerningHispromise。"2Peter3:9。HedoesnotforgetorneglectHischildren；butHepermitsthewickedtorevealtheirtruecharacter，thatnonewhodesiretodoHiswillmaybedeceivedconcerningthem。Again，therighteousareplacedinthefurnaceofaffliction，thattheythemselvesmaybepurified；thattheirexamplemayconvinceothersoftherealityoffaithandgodliness；andalsothattheirconsistentcoursemaycondemntheungodlyandunbelieving。

GodpermitsthewickedtoprosperandtorevealtheirenmityagainstHim，thatwhentheyshallhavefilledupthemeasureoftheiriniquityallmayseeHisjusticeandmercyintheirutterdestruction。ThedayofHisvengeancehastens，whenallwhohavetransgressedHislawandoppressedHispeoplewillmeetthejustrecompenseoftheirdeeds；wheneveryactofcrueltyorinjusticetowardGod’sfaithfuloneswillbepunishedasthoughdonetoChristHimself。

Thereisanotherandmoreimportantquestionthatshouldengagetheattentionofthechurchesoftoday。TheapostlePauldeclaresthat"allthatwilllivegodlyinChristJesusshallsufferpersecution。"2Timothy3:12。

Whyisit，then，thatpersecutionseemsinagreatdegreetoslumber？Theonlyreasonisthatthechurchhasconformedtotheworld’sstandardandthereforeawakensnoopposition。ThereligionwhichiscurrentinourdayisnotofthepureandholycharacterthatmarkedtheChristianfaithinthedaysofChristandHisapostles。Itisonlybecauseofthespiritofcompromisewithsin，becausethegreattruthsofthewordofGodaresoindifferentlyregarded，becausethereissolittlevitalgodlinessinthechurch，thatChristianityisapparentlysopopularwiththeworld。Lettherebearevivalofthefaithandpoweroftheearlychurch，andthespiritofpersecutionwillberevived，andthefiresofpersecutionwillberekindled。

(49)

Chapter3

AnEraofSpiritualDarknessTheapostlePaul，inhissecondlettertotheThessalonians，foretoldthegreatapostasywhichwouldresultintheestablishmentofthepapalpower。

HedeclaredthatthedayofChristshouldnotcome，"excepttherecomeafallingawayfirst，andthatmanofsinberevealed，thesonofperdition；

whoopposethandexaltethhimselfaboveallthatiscalledGod，orthatisworshiped；sothatheasGodsittethinthetempleofGod，showinghimselfthatheisGod。"Andfurthermore，theapostlewarnshisbrethrenthat"themysteryofiniquitydothalreadywork。"2Thessalonians2:3，4，7。Evenatthatearlydatehesaw，creepingintothechurch，errorsthatwouldpreparethewayforthedevelopmentofthepapacy。

Littlebylittle，atfirstinstealthandsilence，andthenmoreopenlyasitincreasedinstrengthandgainedcontrolofthemindsofmen，"themysteryofiniquity"carriedforwarditsdeceptiveandblasphemouswork。

AlmostimperceptiblythecustomsofheathenismfoundtheirwayintotheChristianchurch。Thespiritofcompromiseandconformitywasrestrainedforatimebythefiercepersecutionswhichthechurchenduredunderpaganism。

Butaspersecutionceased，andChristianityenteredthecourtsandpalacesofkings，shelaidasidethehumblesimplicityofChristandHisapostlesforthepompandprideofpaganpriestsandrulers；andinplaceoftherequirementsofGod，shesubstitutedhumantheoriesandtraditions。ThenominalconversionofConstantine，50

intheearlypartofthefourthcentury，causedgreatrejoicing；andtheworld，cloakedwithaformofrighteousness，walkedintothechurch。Nowtheworkofcorruptionrapidlyprogressed。Paganism，whileappearingtobevanquished，becametheconqueror。Herspiritcontrolledthechurch。Herdoctrines，ceremonies，andsuperstitionswereincorporatedintothefaithandworshipoftheprofessedfollowersofChrist。

ThiscompromisebetweenpaganismandChristianityresultedinthedevelopmentof"themanofsin"foretoldinprophecyasopposingandexaltinghimselfaboveGod。ThatgiganticsystemoffalsereligionisamasterpieceofSatan’spower——amonumentofhiseffortstoseathimselfuponthethronetoruletheearthaccordingtohiswill。

SatanonceendeavoredtoformacompromisewithChrist。HecametotheSonofGodinthewildernessoftemptation，andshowingHimallthekingdomsoftheworldandthegloryofthem，offeredtogiveallintoHishandsifHewouldbutacknowledgethesupremacyoftheprinceofdarkness。Christrebukedthepresumptuoustempterandforcedhimtodepart。ButSatanmeetswithgreatersuccessinpresentingthesametemptationstoman。Tosecureworldlygainsandhonors，thechurchwasledtoseekthefavorandsupportofthegreatmenofearth；andhavingthusrejectedChrist，shewasinducedtoyieldallegiancetotherepresentativeofSatan——thebishopofRome。

ItisoneoftheleadingdoctrinesofRomanismthatthepopeisthevisibleheadoftheuniversalchurchofChrist，investedwithsupremeauthorityoverbishopsandpastorsinallpartsoftheworld。Morethanthis，thepopehasbeengiventheverytitlesofDeity。Hehasbeenstyled"LordGodthePope"

(seeAppendix)，andhasbeendeclaredinfallible。Hedemandsthehomageofallmen。ThesameclaimurgedbySataninthewildernessoftemptationisstillurgedbyhimthroughtheChurchofRome，andvastnumbersarereadytoyieldhimhomage。

51

ButthosewhofearandreverenceGodmeetthisheaven-daringassumptionasChristmetthesolicitationsofthewilyfoe:"ThoushaltworshiptheLordthyGod，andHimonlyshaltthouserve。"Luke4:8。GodhasnevergivenahintinHiswordthatHehasappointedanymantobetheheadofthechurch。

ThedoctrineofpapalsupremacyisdirectlyopposedtotheteachingsoftheScriptures。ThepopecanhavenopoweroverChrist’schurchexceptbyusurpation。

RomanistshavepersistedinbringingagainstProtestantsthechargeofheresyandwillfulseparationfromthetruechurch。Buttheseaccusationsapplyrathertothemselves。TheyaretheoneswholaiddownthebannerofChristanddepartedfrom"thefaithwhichwasoncedelivereduntothesaints。"Jude3。

SatanwellknewthattheHolyScriptureswouldenablementodiscernhisdeceptionsandwithstandhispower。ItwasbythewordthateventheSaviouroftheworldhadresistedhisattacks。Ateveryassault，Christpresentedtheshieldofeternaltruth，saying，"Itiswritten。"Toeverysuggestionoftheadversary，Heopposedthewisdomandpoweroftheword。InorderforSatantomaintainhisswayovermen，andestablishtheauthorityofthepapalusurper，hemustkeeptheminignoranceoftheScriptures。TheBiblewouldexaltGodandplacefinitemenintheirtrueposition；thereforeitssacredtruthsmustbeconcealedandsuppressed。ThislogicwasadoptedbytheRomanChurch。ForhundredsofyearsthecirculationoftheBiblewasprohibited。Thepeoplewereforbiddentoreaditortohaveitintheirhouses，andunprincipledpriestsandprelatesinterpreteditsteachingstosustaintheirpretensions。ThusthepopecametobealmostuniversallyacknowledgedasthevicegerentofGodonearth，endowedwithauthorityoverchurchandstate。

Thedetectoroferrorhavingbeenremoved，Satanworkedaccordingtohiswill。Prophecyhaddeclaredthatthepapacywasto"thinktochangetimesandlaws。"Daniel7:25。This52

workitwasnotslowtoattempt。Toaffordconvertsfromheathenismasubstitutefortheworshipofidols，andthustopromotetheirnominalacceptanceofChristianity，theadorationofimagesandrelicswasgraduallyintroducedintotheChristianworship。Thedecreeofageneralcouncil(seeAppendix)finallyestablishedthissystemofidolatry。Tocompletethesacrilegiouswork，RomepresumedtoexpungefromthelawofGodthesecondcommandment，forbiddingimageworship，andtodividethetenthcommandment，inordertopreservethenumber。

ThespiritofconcessiontopaganismopenedthewayforastillfurtherdisregardofHeaven’sauthority。Satan，workingthroughunconsecratedleadersofthechurch，tamperedwiththefourthcommandmentalso，andessayedtosetasidetheancientSabbath，thedaywhichGodhadblessedandsanctified(Genesis2:2，3)，andinitssteadtoexaltthefestivalobservedbytheheathenas"thevenerabledayofthesun。"Thischangewasnotatfirstattemptedopenly。InthefirstcenturiesthetrueSabbathhadbeenkeptbyallChristians。TheywerejealousforthehonorofGod，and，believingthatHislawisimmutable，theyzealouslyguardedthesacrednessofitsprecepts。ButwithgreatsubtletySatanworkedthroughhisagentstobringabouthisobject。ThattheattentionofthepeoplemightbecalledtotheSunday，itwasmadeafestivalinhonoroftheresurrectionofChrist。

Religiousserviceswerehelduponit；yetitwasregardedasadayofrecreation，theSabbathbeingstillsacredlyobserved。

Topreparethewayfortheworkwhichhedesignedtoaccomplish，SatanhadledtheJews，beforetheadventofChrist，toloaddowntheSabbathwiththemostrigorousexactions，makingitsobservanceaburden。Now，takingadvantageofthefalselightinwhichhehadthuscausedittoberegarded，hecastcontemptuponitasaJewishinstitution。WhileChristiansgenerallycontinuedtoobservetheSundayasajoyousfestival，heledthem，inordertoshow53

theirhatredofJudaism，tomaketheSabbathafast，adayofsadnessandgloom。

IntheearlypartofthefourthcenturytheemperorConstantineissuedadecreemakingSundayapublicfestivalthroughouttheRomanEmpire。(SeeAppendix。)ThedayofthesunwasreverencedbyhispagansubjectsandwashonoredbyChristians；itwastheemperor’spolicytounitetheconflictinginterestsofheathenismandChristianity。Hewasurgedtodothisbythebishopsofthechurch，who，inspiredbyambitionandthirstforpower，perceivedthatifthesamedaywasobservedbybothChristiansandheathen，itwouldpromotethenominalacceptanceofChristianitybypagansandthusadvancethepowerandgloryofthechurch。ButwhilemanyGod-fearingChristiansweregraduallyledtoregardSundayaspossessingadegreeofsacredness，theystillheldthetrueSabbathastheholyoftheLordandobserveditinobediencetothefourthcommandment。

Thearchdeceiverhadnotcompletedhiswork。HewasresolvedtogathertheChristianworldunderhisbannerandtoexercisehispowerthroughhisvicegerent，theproudpontiffwhoclaimedtobetherepresentativeofChrist。Throughhalf-convertedpagans，ambitiousprelates，andworld-lovingchurchmenheaccomplishedhispurpose。Vastcouncilswereheldfromtimetotime，inwhichthedignitariesofthechurchwereconvenedfromalltheworld。InnearlyeverycounciltheSabbathwhichGodhadinstitutedwaspresseddownalittlelower，whiletheSundaywascorrespondinglyexalted。

Thusthepaganfestivalcamefinallytobehonoredasadivineinstitution，whiletheBibleSabbathwaspronouncedarelicofJudaism，anditsobserversweredeclaredtobeaccursed。

Thegreatapostatehadsucceededinexaltinghimself"aboveallthatiscalledGod，orthatisworshiped。"2Thessalonians2:4。HehaddaredtochangetheonlypreceptofthedivinelawthatunmistakablypointsallmankindtothetrueandlivingGod。Inthefourthcommandment，Godis54

revealedastheCreatoroftheheavensandtheearth，andistherebydistinguishedfromallfalsegods。Itwasasamemorialoftheworkofcreationthattheseventhdaywassanctifiedasarestdayforman。ItwasdesignedtokeepthelivingGodeverbeforethemindsofmenasthesourceofbeingandtheobjectofreverenceandworship。SatanstrivestoturnmenfromtheirallegiancetoGod，andfromrenderingobediencetoHislaw；

thereforehedirectshiseffortsespeciallyagainstthatcommandmentwhichpointstoGodastheCreator。

ProtestantsnowurgethattheresurrectionofChristonSundaymadeittheChristianSabbath。ButScriptureevidenceislacking。NosuchhonorwasgiventothedaybyChristorHisapostles。TheobservanceofSundayasaChristianinstitutionhaditsorigininthat"mysteryoflawlessness"(2

Thessalonians2:7，R。V。)which，eveninPaul’sday，hadbegunitswork。

WhereandwhendidtheLordadoptthischildofthepapacy？WhatvalidreasoncanbegivenforachangewhichtheScripturesdonotsanction？

Inthesixthcenturythepapacyhadbecomefirmlyestablished。Itsseatofpowerwasfixedintheimperialcity，andthebishopofRomewasdeclaredtobetheheadovertheentirechurch。Paganismhadgivenplacetothepapacy。

Thedragonhadgiventothebeast"hispower，andhisseat，andgreatauthority。"Revelation13:2。Andnowbeganthe1260yearsofpapaloppressionforetoldinthepropheciesofDanielandtheRevelation。Daniel7:25；Revelation13:5-7。(SeeAppendix。)Christianswereforcedtochooseeithertoyieldtheirintegrityandacceptthepapalceremoniesandworship，ortowearawaytheirlivesindungeonsorsufferdeathbytherack，thefagot，ortheheadsman’sax。NowwerefulfilledthewordsofJesus:"Yeshallbebetrayedbothbyparents，andbrethren，andkinsfolks，andfriends；

andsomeofyoushalltheycausetobeputtodeath。AndyeshallbehatedofallmenforMyname’ssake。"Luke21:16，17。Persecutionopeneduponthefaithfulwithgreaterfurythaneverbefore，55

andtheworldbecameavastbattlefield。ForhundredsofyearsthechurchofChristfoundrefugeinseclusionandobscurity。Thussaystheprophet:"Thewomanfledintothewilderness，whereshehathaplacepreparedofGod，thattheyshouldfeedherthereathousandtwohundredandthree-scoredays。"

Revelation12:6。

TheaccessionoftheRomanChurchtopowermarkedthebeginningoftheDarkAges。Asherpowerincreased，thedarknessdeepened。FaithwastransferredfromChrist，thetruefoundation，tothepopeofRome。InsteadoftrustingintheSonofGodforforgivenessofsinsandforeternalsalvation，thepeoplelookedtothepope，andtothepriestsandprelatestowhomhedelegatedauthority。TheyweretaughtthatthepopewastheirearthlymediatorandthatnonecouldapproachGodexceptthroughhim；and，further，thathestoodintheplaceofGodtothemandwasthereforetobeimplicitlyobeyed。Adeviationfromhisrequirementswassufficientcausefortheseverestpunishmenttobevisiteduponthebodiesandsoulsoftheoffenders。ThusthemindsofthepeoplewereturnedawayfromGodtofallible，erring，andcruelmen，nay，more，totheprinceofdarknesshimself，whoexercisedhispowerthroughthem。Sinwasdisguisedinagarbofsanctity。WhentheScripturesaresuppressed，andmancomestoregardhimselfassupreme，weneedlookonlyforfraud，deception，anddebasinginiquity。WiththeelevationofhumanlawsandtraditionswasmanifestthecorruptionthateverresultsfromsettingasidethelawofGod。

ThoseweredaysofperilforthechurchofChrist。Thefaithfulstandard-bearerswerefewindeed。Thoughthetruthwasnotleftwithoutwitnesses，yetattimesitseemedthaterrorandsuperstitionwouldwhollyprevail，andtruereligionwouldbebanishedfromtheearth。Thegospelwaslostsightof，buttheformsofreligionweremultiplied，andthepeoplewereburdenedwithrigorousexactions。

Theyweretaughtnotonlytolooktothepopeastheirmediator，buttotrusttoworksoftheirowntoatoneforsin。Longpilgrimages，actsofpenance，theworshipofrelics，the56

erectionofchurches，shrines，andaltars，thepaymentoflargesumstothechurch——theseandmanysimilaractswereenjoinedtoappeasethewrathofGodortosecureHisfavor；asifGodwerelikemen，tobeangeredattrifles，orpacifiedbygiftsoractsofpenance！

Notwithstandingthatviceprevailed，evenamongtheleadersoftheRomanChurch，herinfluenceseemedsteadilytoincrease。Aboutthecloseoftheeighthcentury，papistsputforththeclaimthatinthefirstagesofthechurchthebishopsofRomehadpossessedthesamespiritualpowerwhichtheynowassumed。Toestablishthisclaim，somemeansmustbeemployedtogiveitashowofauthority；andthiswasreadilysuggestedbythefatheroflies。

Ancientwritingswereforgedbymonks。Decreesofcouncilsbeforeunheardofwerediscovered，establishingtheuniversalsupremacyofthepopefromtheearliesttimes。Andachurchthathadrejectedthetruthgreedilyacceptedthesedeceptions。(SeeAppendix。)

Thefewfaithfulbuildersuponthetruefoundation。(1Corinthians3:10，11)

wereperplexedandhinderedastherubbishoffalsedoctrineobstructedthework。LikethebuildersuponthewallofJerusaleminNehemiah’sday，somewerereadytosay:"Thestrengthofthebearersofburdensisdecayed，andthereismuchrubbish；sothatwearenotabletobuild。"Nehemiah4:10。

Weariedwiththeconstantstruggleagainstpersecution，fraud，iniquity，andeveryotherobstaclethatSatancoulddevisetohindertheirprogress，somewhohadbeenfaithfulbuildersbecamedisheartened；andforthesakeofpeaceandsecurityfortheirpropertyandtheirlives，theyturnedawayfromthetruefoundation。Others，undauntedbytheoppositionoftheirenemies，fearlesslydeclared:"Benotyeafraidofthem:remembertheLord，whichisgreatandterrible"(verse14)；andtheyproceededwiththework，everyonewithhisswordgirdedbyhisside。Ephesians6:17。

ThesamespiritofhatredandoppositiontothetruthhasinspiredtheenemiesofGodineveryage，andthesame57

vigilanceandfidelityhavebeenrequiredinHisservants。ThewordsofChristtothefirstdisciplesareapplicabletoHisfollowerstothecloseoftime:"WhatIsayuntoyouIsayuntoall，Watch。"Mark13:37。

Thedarknessseemedtogrowmoredense。Imageworshipbecamemoregeneral。

Candleswereburnedbeforeimages，andprayerswereofferedtothem。Themostabsurdandsuperstitiouscustomsprevailed。Themindsofmenweresocompletelycontrolledbysuperstitionthatreasonitselfseemedtohavelostitssway。Whilepriestsandbishopswerethemselvespleasure-loving，sensual，andcorrupt，itcouldonlybeexpectedthatthepeoplewholookedtothemforguidancewouldbesunkeninignoranceandvice。

Anotherstepinpapalassumptionwastaken，when，intheeleventhcentury，PopeGregoryVIIproclaimedtheperfectionoftheRomanChurch。Amongthepropositionswhichheputforthwasonedeclaringthatthechurchhadnevererred，norwoulditevererr，accordingtotheScriptures。ButtheScriptureproofsdidnotaccompanytheassertion。Theproudpontiffalsoclaimedthepowertodeposeemperors，anddeclaredthatnosentencewhichhepronouncedcouldbereversedbyanyone，butthatitwashisprerogativetoreversethedecisionsofallothers。(SeeAppendix。)

AstrikingillustrationofthetyrannicalcharacterofthisadvocateofinfallibilitywasgiveninhistreatmentoftheGermanemperor，HenryIV。

Forpresumingtodisregardthepope’sauthority，thismonarchwasdeclaredtobeexcommunicatedanddethroned。Terrifiedbythedesertionandthreatsofhisownprinces，whowereencouragedinrebellionagainsthimbythepapalmandate，HenryfeltthenecessityofmakinghispeacewithRome。IncompanywithhiswifeandafaithfulservanthecrossedtheAlpsinmidwinter，thathemighthumblehimselfbeforethepope。UponreachingthecastlewhitherGregoryhadwithdrawn，hewasconducted，withouthisguards，intoanoutercourt，andthere，intheseverecoldofwinter，withuncoveredheadandnaked58

feet，andinamiserabledress，heawaitedthepope’spermissiontocomeintohispresence。Notuntilhehadcontinuedthreedaysfastingandmakingconfession，didthepontiffcondescendtogranthimpardon。Eventhenitwasonlyuponconditionthattheemperorshouldawaitthesanctionofthepopebeforeresumingtheinsigniaorexercisingthepowerofroyalty。AndGregory，elatedwithhistriumph，boastedthatitwashisdutytopulldowntheprideofkings。

HowstrikingthecontrastbetweentheoverbearingprideofthishaughtypontiffandthemeeknessandgentlenessofChrist，whorepresentsHimselfaspleadingatthedooroftheheartforadmittance，thatHemaycomeintobringpardonandpeace，andwhotaughtHisdisciples:"Whosoeverwillbechiefamongyou，lethimbeyourservant。"Matthew20:27。

TheadvancingcenturieswitnessedaconstantincreaseoferrorinthedoctrinesputforthfromRome。Evenbeforetheestablishmentofthepapacytheteachingsofheathenphilosophershadreceivedattentionandexertedaninfluenceinthechurch。Manywhoprofessedconversionstillclungtothetenetsoftheirpaganphilosophy，andnotonlycontinueditsstudythemselves，buturgedituponothersasameansofextendingtheirinfluenceamongtheheathen。SeriouserrorswerethusintroducedintotheChristianfaith。Prominentamongthesewasthebeliefinman’snaturalimmortalityandhisconsciousnessindeath。ThisdoctrinelaidthefoundationuponwhichRomeestablishedtheinvocationofsaintsandtheadorationoftheVirginMary。Fromthissprangalsotheheresyofeternaltormentforthefinallyimpenitent，whichwasearlyincorporatedintothepapalfaith。

Thenthewaywaspreparedfortheintroductionofstillanotherinventionofpaganism，whichRomenamedpurgatory，andemployedtoterrifythecredulousandsuperstitiousmultitudes。Bythisheresyisaffirmedtheexistenceofaplaceoftorment，inwhichthesoulsofsuchashavenotmeritedeternaldamnationaretosufferpunishmentfortheirsins，59

andfromwhich，whenfreedfromimpurity，theyareadmittedtoheaven。(SeeAppendix。)

StillanotherfabricationwasneededtoenableRometoprofitbythefearsandthevicesofheradherents。Thiswassuppliedbythedoctrineofindulgences。Fullremissionofsins，past，present，andfuture，andreleasefromallthepainsandpenaltiesincurred，werepromisedtoallwhowouldenlistinthepontiff’swarstoextendhistemporaldominion，topunishhisenemies，ortoexterminatethosewhodareddenyhisspiritualsupremacy。Thepeoplewerealsotaughtthatbythepaymentofmoneytothechurchtheymightfreethemselvesfromsin，andalsoreleasethesoulsoftheirdeceasedfriendswhowereconfinedinthetormentingflames。BysuchmeansdidRomefillhercoffersandsustainthemagnificence，luxury，andviceofthepretendedrepresentativesofHimwhohadnotwheretolayHishead。(SeeAppendix。)

TheScripturalordinanceoftheLord’sSupperhadbeensupplantedbytheidolatroussacrificeofthemass。Papalpriestspretended，bytheirsenselessmummery，toconvertthesimplebreadandwineintotheactual"bodyandbloodofChrist。"——CardinalWiseman，TheRealPresenceoftheBodyandBloodofOurLordJesusChristintheBlessedEucharist，ProvedFromScripture，lecture8，sec。3，par。26。Withblasphemouspresumption，theyopenlyclaimedthepowerofcreatingGod，theCreatorofallthings。

Christianswererequired，onpainofdeath，toavowtheirfaithinthishorrible，Heaven-insultingheresy。Multitudeswhorefusedweregiventotheflames。(SeeAppendix。)

Inthethirteenthcenturywasestablishedthatmostterribleofalltheenginesofthepapacy——theInquisition。Theprinceofdarknesswroughtwiththeleadersofthepapalhierarchy。IntheirsecretcouncilsSatanandhisangelscontrolledthemindsofevilmen，whileunseeninthemidststoodanangelofGod，takingthefearfulrecordoftheiriniquitousdecreesandwritingthehistoryofdeedstoohorribletoappeartohumaneyes。"Babylonthegreat"was"drunkenwiththebloodofthesaints。"Themangledformsofmillionsof60

martyrscriedtoGodforvengeanceuponthatapostatepower。

Poperyhadbecometheworld’sdespot。KingsandemperorsbowedtothedecreesoftheRomanpontiff。Thedestiniesofmen，bothfortimeandforeternity，seemedunderhiscontrol。ForhundredsofyearsthedoctrinesofRomehadbeenextensivelyandimplicitlyreceived，itsritesreverentlyperformed，itsfestivalsgenerallyobserved。Itsclergywerehonoredandliberallysustained。NeversincehastheRomanChurchattainedtogreaterdignity，magnificence，orpower。

But"thenoonofthepapacywasthemidnightoftheworld。"——J。A。Wylie，TheHistoryofProtestantism，b。1，ch。4。TheHolyScriptureswerealmostunknown，notonlytothepeople，buttothepriests。LikethePhariseesofold，thepapalleadershatedthelightwhichwouldrevealtheirsins。God’slaw，thestandardofrighteousness，havingbeenremoved，theyexercisedpowerwithoutlimit，andpracticedvicewithoutrestraint。Fraud，avarice，andprofligacyprevailed。Menshrankfromnocrimebywhichtheycouldgainwealthorposition。Thepalacesofpopesandprelateswerescenesofthevilestdebauchery。Someofthereigningpontiffswereguiltyofcrimessorevoltingthatsecularrulersendeavoredtodeposethesedignitariesofthechurchasmonsterstooviletobetolerated。ForcenturiesEuropehadmadenoprogressinlearning，arts，orcivilization。AmoralandintellectualparalysishadfallenuponChristendom。

TheconditionoftheworldundertheRomishpowerpresentedafearfulandstrikingfulfillmentofthewordsoftheprophetHosea:"Mypeoplearedestroyedforlackofknowledge:becausethouhastrejectedknowledge，I

willalsorejectthee:……seeingthouhastforgottenthelawofthyGod，Iwillalsoforgetthychildren。""Thereisnotruth，normercy，norknowledgeofGodintheland。Byswearing，andlying，andkilling，andstealing，andcommittingadultery，theybreakout，andbloodtouchethblood。"Hosea4:6，1，2。SuchweretheresultsofbanishingthewordofGod。

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Chapter4

TheWaldensesAmidthegloomthatsettledupontheearthduringthelongperiodofpapalsupremacy，thelightoftruthcouldnotbewhollyextinguished。IneveryagetherewerewitnessesforGod——menwhocherishedfaithinChristastheonlymediatorbetweenGodandman，whoheldtheBibleastheonlyruleoflife，andwhohallowedthetrueSabbath。Howmuchtheworldowestothesemen，posteritywillneverknow。Theywerebrandedasheretics，theirmotivesimpugned，theircharactersmaligned，theirwritingssuppressed，misrepresented，ormutilated。Yettheystoodfirm，andfromagetoagemaintainedtheirfaithinitspurity，asasacredheritageforthegenerationstocome。

ThehistoryofGod’speopleduringtheagesofdarknessthatfolloweduponRome’ssupremacyiswritteninheaven，buttheyhavelittleplaceinhumanrecords。Fewtracesoftheirexistencecanbefound，exceptintheaccusationsoftheirpersecutors。ItwasthepolicyofRometoobliterateeverytraceofdissentfromherdoctrinesordecrees。Everythingheretical，whetherpersonsorwritings，shesoughttodestroy。Expressionsofdoubt，orquestionsastotheauthorityofpapaldogmas，wereenoughtoforfeitthelifeofrichorpoor，highorlow。Romeendeavoredalsotodestroyeveryrecordofhercrueltytowarddissenters。Papalcouncilsdecreedthatbooksandwritingscontainingsuchrecordsshould62

becommittedtotheflames。Beforetheinventionofprinting，bookswerefewinnumber，andinaformnotfavorableforpreservation；thereforetherewaslittletopreventtheRomanistsfromcarryingouttheirpurpose。

NochurchwithinthelimitsofRomishjurisdictionwaslongleftundisturbedintheenjoymentoffreedomofconscience。Nosoonerhadthepapacyobtainedpowerthanshestretchedoutherarmstocrushallthatrefusedtoacknowledgehersway，andoneafteranotherthechurchessubmittedtoherdominion。

InGreatBritainprimitiveChristianityhadveryearlytakenroot。ThegospelreceivedbytheBritonsinthefirstcenturieswasthenuncorruptedbyRomishapostasy。Persecutionfrompaganemperors，whichextendedeventothesefar-offshores，wastheonlygiftthatthefirstchurchesofBritainreceivedfromRome。ManyoftheChristians，fleeingfrompersecutioninEngland，foundrefugeinScotland；thencethetruthwascarriedtoIreland，andinallthesecountriesitwasreceivedwithgladness。

WhentheSaxonsinvadedBritain，heathenismgainedcontrol。Theconquerorsdisdainedtobeinstructedbytheirslaves，andtheChristianswereforcedtoretreattothemountainsandthewildmoors。Yetthelight，hiddenforatime，continuedtoburn。InScotland，acenturylater，itshoneoutwithabrightnessthatextendedtofar-distantlands。FromIrelandcamethepiousColumbaandhiscolaborers，who，gatheringaboutthemthescatteredbelieversonthelonelyislandofIona，madethisthecenteroftheirmissionarylabors。AmongtheseevangelistswasanobserveroftheBibleSabbath，andthusthistruthwasintroducedamongthepeople。AschoolwasestablishedatIona，fromwhichmissionarieswentout，notonlytoScotlandandEngland，buttoGermany，Switzerland，andevenItaly。

ButRomehadfixedhereyesonBritain，andresolvedtobringitunderhersupremacy。InthesixthcenturyhermissionariesundertooktheconversionoftheheathenSaxons。

63

Theywerereceivedwithfavorbytheproudbarbarians，andtheyinducedmanythousandstoprofesstheRomishfaith。Astheworkprogressed，thepapalleadersandtheirconvertsencounteredtheprimitiveChristians。Astrikingcontrastwaspresented。Thelatterweresimple，humble，andScripturalincharacter，doctrine，andmanners，whiletheformermanifestedthesuperstition，pomp，andarroganceofpopery。TheemissaryofRomedemandedthattheseChristianchurchesacknowledgethesupremacyofthesovereignpontiff。TheBritonsmeeklyrepliedthattheydesiredtoloveallmen，butthatthepopewasnotentitledtosupremacyinthechurch，andtheycouldrendertohimonlythatsubmissionwhichwasduetoeveryfollowerofChrist。RepeatedattemptsweremadetosecuretheirallegiancetoRome；butthesehumbleChristians，amazedatthepridedisplayedbyheremissaries，steadfastlyrepliedthattheyknewnoothermasterthanChrist。Nowthetruespiritofthepapacywasrevealed。SaidtheRomishleader:"Ifyouwillnotreceivebrethrenwhobringyoupeace，youshallreceiveenemieswhowillbringyouwar。IfyouwillnotunitewithusinshowingtheSaxonsthewayoflife，youshallreceivefromthemthestrokeofdeath。"——J。H。MerleD’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationoftheSixteenthCentury，b。17，ch。

2。Thesewerenoidlethreats。War，intrigue，anddeceptionwereemployedagainstthesewitnessesforaBiblefaith，untilthechurchesofBritainweredestroyed，orforcedtosubmittotheauthorityofthepope。

InlandsbeyondthejurisdictionofRomethereexistedformanycenturiesbodiesofChristianswhoremainedalmostwhollyfreefrompapalcorruption。

Theyweresurroundedbyheathenismandinthelapseofageswereaffectedbyitserrors；buttheycontinuedtoregardtheBibleastheonlyruleoffaithandadheredtomanyofitstruths。TheseChristiansbelievedintheperpetuityofthelawofGodandobservedtheSabbathofthefourthcommandment。ChurchesthatheldtothisfaithandpracticeexistedinCentralAfricaandamongtheArmeniansofAsia。

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Butofthosewhoresistedtheencroachmentsofthepapalpower，theWaldensesstoodforemost。Intheverylandwherepoperyhadfixeditsseat，thereitsfalsehoodandcorruptionweremoststeadfastlyresisted。ForcenturiesthechurchesofPiedmontmaintainedtheirindependence；butthetimecameatlastwhenRomeinsistedupontheirsubmission。Afterineffectualstrugglesagainsthertyranny，theleadersofthesechurchesreluctantlyacknowledgedthesupremacyofthepowertowhichthewholeworldseemedtopayhomage。Thereweresome，however，whorefusedtoyieldtotheauthorityofpopeorprelate。TheyweredeterminedtomaintaintheirallegiancetoGodandtopreservethepurityandsimplicityoftheirfaith。

Aseparationtookplace。Thosewhoadheredtotheancientfaithnowwithdrew；some，forsakingtheirnativeAlps，raisedthebanneroftruthinforeignlands；othersretreatedtothesecludedglensandrockyfastnessesofthemountains，andtherepreservedtheirfreedomtoworshipGod。

ThefaithwhichforcenturieswasheldandtaughtbytheWaldensianChristianswasinmarkedcontrasttothefalsedoctrinesputforthfromRome。TheirreligiousbeliefwasfoundeduponthewrittenwordofGod，thetruesystemofChristianity。Butthosehumblepeasants，intheirobscureretreats，shutawayfromtheworld，andboundtodailytoilamongtheirflocksandtheirvineyards，hadnotbythemselvesarrivedatthetruthinoppositiontothedogmasandheresiesoftheapostatechurch。Theirswasnotafaithnewlyreceived。Theirreligiousbeliefwastheirinheritancefromtheirfathers。Theycontendedforthefaithoftheapostolicchurch，——"thefaithwhichwasoncedelivereduntothesaints。"Jude3。"Thechurchinthewilderness，"andnottheproudhierarchyenthronedintheworld’sgreatcapital，wasthetruechurchofChrist，theguardianofthetreasuresoftruthwhichGodhascommittedtoHispeopletobegiventotheworld。

65

AmongtheleadingcausesthathadledtotheseparationofthetruechurchfromRomewasthehatredofthelattertowardtheBibleSabbath。Asforetoldbyprophecy，thepapalpowercastdownthetruthtotheground。ThelawofGodwastrampledinthedust，whilethetraditionsandcustomsofmenwereexalted。ThechurchesthatwereundertheruleofthepapacywereearlycompelledtohonortheSundayasaholyday。Amidtheprevailingerrorandsuperstition，many，evenofthetruepeopleofGod，becamesobewilderedthatwhiletheyobservedtheSabbath，theyrefrainedfromlaboralsoontheSunday。Butthisdidnotsatisfythepapalleaders。TheydemandednotonlythatSundaybehallowed，butthattheSabbathbeprofaned；andtheydenouncedinthestrongestlanguagethosewhodaredtoshowithonor。ItwasonlybyfleeingfromthepowerofRomethatanycouldobeyGod’slawinpeace。(SeeAppendix。)

TheWaldenseswereamongthefirstofthepeoplesofEuropetoobtainatranslationoftheHolyScriptures。(SeeAppendix。)HundredsofyearsbeforetheReformationtheypossessedtheBibleinmanuscriptintheirnativetongue。Theyhadthetruthunadulterated，andthisrenderedthemthespecialobjectsofhatredandpersecution。TheydeclaredtheChurchofRometobetheapostateBabylonoftheApocalypse，andattheperiloftheirlivestheystooduptoresisthercorruptions。While，underthepressureoflong-continuedpersecution，somecompromisedtheirfaith，littlebylittleyieldingitsdistinctiveprinciples，othersheldfastthetruth。ThroughagesofdarknessandapostasytherewereWaldenseswhodeniedthesupremacyofRome，whorejectedimageworshipasidolatry，andwhokeptthetrueSabbath。Underthefiercesttempestsofoppositiontheymaintainedtheirfaith。ThoughgashedbytheSavoyardspear，andscorchedbytheRomishfagot，theystoodunflinchinglyforGod’swordandHishonor。

Behindtheloftybulwarksofthemountains——inallagestherefugeofthepersecutedandoppressed——theWaldenses66

foundahidingplace。HerethelightoftruthwaskeptburningamidthedarknessoftheMiddleAges。Here，forathousandyears，witnessesforthetruthmaintainedtheancientfaith。

GodhadprovidedforHispeopleasanctuaryofawfulgrandeur，befittingthemightytruthscommittedtotheirtrust。TothosefaithfulexilesthemountainswereanemblemoftheimmutablerighteousnessofJehovah。Theypointedtheirchildrentotheheightstoweringabovetheminunchangingmajesty，andspoketothemofHimwithwhomthereisnovariablenessnorshadowofturning，whosewordisasenduringastheeverlastinghills。Godhadsetfastthemountainsandgirdedthemwithstrength；noarmbutthatofInfinitePowercouldmovethemoutoftheirplace。InlikemannerHehadestablishedHislaw，thefoundationofHisgovernmentinheavenanduponearth。Thearmofmanmightreachhisfellowmenanddestroytheirlives；

butthatarmcouldasreadilyuprootthemountainsfromtheirfoundations，andhurlthemintothesea，asitcouldchangeonepreceptofthelawofJehovah，orblotoutoneofHispromisestothosewhodoHiswill。IntheirfidelitytoHislaw，God’sservantsshouldbeasfirmastheunchanginghills。

ThemountainsthatgirdedtheirlowlyvalleyswereaconstantwitnesstoGod’screativepower，andanever-failingassuranceofHisprotectingcare。

ThosepilgrimslearnedtolovethesilentsymbolsofJehovah’spresence。

Theyindulgednorepiningbecauseofthehardshipsoftheirlot；theywereneverlonelyamidthemountainsolitudes。TheythankedGodthatHehadprovidedforthemanasylumfromthewrathandcrueltyofmen。TheyrejoicedintheirfreedomtoworshipbeforeHim。Oftenwhenpursuedbytheirenemies，thestrengthofthehillsprovedasuredefense。FrommanyaloftyclifftheychantedthepraiseofGod，andthearmiesofRomecouldnotsilencetheirsongsofthanksgiving。

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Pure，simple，andferventwasthepietyofthesefollowersofChrist。Theprinciplesoftruththeyvaluedabovehousesandlands，friends，kindred，evenlifeitself。Theseprinciplestheyearnestlysoughttoimpressupontheheartsoftheyoung。FromearliestchildhoodtheyouthwereinstructedintheScripturesandtaughttoregardsacredlytheclaimsofthelawofGod。

CopiesoftheBiblewererare；thereforeitspreciouswordswerecommittedtomemory。ManywereabletorepeatlargeportionsofboththeOldandtheNewTestament。ThoughtsofGodwereassociatedalikewiththesublimesceneryofnatureandwiththehumbleblessingsofdailylife。LittlechildrenlearnedtolookwithgratitudetoGodasthegiverofeveryfavorandeverycomfort。

Parents，tenderandaffectionateastheywere，lovedtheirchildrentoowiselytoaccustomthemtoself-indulgence。Beforethemwasalifeoftrialandhardship，perhapsamartyr’sdeath。Theywereeducatedfromchildhoodtoendurehardness，tosubmittocontrol，andyettothinkandactforthemselves。Veryearlytheyweretaughttobearresponsibilities，tobeguardedinspeech，andtounderstandthewisdomofsilence。Oneindiscreetwordletfallinthehearingoftheirenemiesmightimperilnotonlythelifeofthespeaker，butthelivesofhundredsofhisbrethren；foraswolveshuntingtheirpreydidtheenemiesoftruthpursuethosewhodaredtoclaimfreedomofreligiousfaith。

TheWaldenseshadsacrificedtheirworldlyprosperityforthetruth’ssake，andwithperseveringpatiencetheytoiledfortheirbread。Everyspotoftillablelandamongthemountainswascarefullyimproved；thevalleysandthelessfertilehillsidesweremadetoyieldtheirincrease。Economyandsevereself-denialformedapartoftheeducationwhichthechildrenreceivedastheironlylegacy。TheyweretaughtthatGoddesignslifetobeadiscipline，andthattheirwantscouldbesuppliedonlybypersonallabor，byforethought，care，andfaith。Theprocesswaslaboriousandwearisome，butitwas68

wholesome，justwhatmanneedsinhisfallenstate，theschoolwhichGodhasprovidedforhistraininganddevelopment。Whiletheyouthwereinuredtotoilandhardship，thecultureoftheintellectwasnotneglected。TheyweretaughtthatalltheirpowersbelongedtoGod，andthatallweretobeimprovedanddevelopedforHisservice。

TheVaudoischurches，intheirpurityandsimplicity，resembledthechurchofapostolictimes。Rejectingthesupremacyofthepopeandprelate，theyheldtheBibleastheonlysupreme，infallibleauthority。Theirpastors，unlikethelordlypriestsofRome，followedtheexampleoftheirMaster，who"camenottobeministeredunto，buttominister。"TheyfedtheflockofGod，leadingthemtothegreenpasturesandlivingfountainsofHisholyword。Farfromthemonumentsofhumanpompandpridethepeopleassembled，notinmagnificentchurchesorgrandcathedrals，butbeneaththeshadowofthemountains，intheAlpinevalleys，or，intimeofdanger，insomerockystronghold，tolistentothewordsoftruthfromtheservantsofChrist。Thepastorsnotonlypreachedthegospel，buttheyvisitedthesick，catechizedthechildren，admonishedtheerring，andlaboredtosettledisputesandpromoteharmonyandbrotherlylove。Intimesofpeacetheyweresustainedbythefreewillofferingsofthepeople；but，likePaulthetentmaker，eachlearnedsometradeorprofessionbywhich，ifnecessary，toprovideforhisownsupport。

Fromtheirpastorstheyouthreceivedinstruction。Whileattentionwasgiventobranchesofgenerallearning，theBiblewasmadethechiefstudy。TheGospelsofMatthewandJohnwerecommittedtomemory，withmanyoftheEpistles。TheywereemployedalsoincopyingtheScriptures。SomemanuscriptscontainedthewholeBible，othersonlybriefselections，towhichsomesimpleexplanationsofthetextwereaddedbythosewhowereabletoexpoundtheScriptures。Thuswerebroughtforththetreasuresoftruthsolong69

concealedbythosewhosoughttoexaltthemselvesaboveGod。

Bypatient，untiringlabor，sometimesinthedeep，darkcavernsoftheearth，bythelightoftorches，theSacredScriptureswerewrittenout，versebyverse，chapterbychapter。Thustheworkwenton，therevealedwillofGodshiningoutlikepuregold；howmuchbrighter，clearer，andmorepowerfulbecauseofthetrialsundergoneforitssakeonlythosecouldrealizewhowereengagedinthework。Angelsfromheavensurroundedthesefaithfulworkers。

Satanhadurgedonthepapalpriestsandprelatestoburythewordoftruthbeneaththerubbishoferror，heresy，andsuperstition；butinamostwonderfulmanneritwaspreserveduncorruptedthroughalltheagesofdarkness。Itborenotthestampofman，buttheimpressofGod。Menhavebeenunweariedintheireffortstoobscuretheplain，simplemeaningoftheScriptures，andtomakethemcontradicttheirowntestimony；butlikethearkuponthebillowydeep，thewordofGodoutridesthestormsthatthreatenitwithdestruction。Astheminehasrichveinsofgoldandsilverhiddenbeneaththesurface，sothatallmustdigwhowoulddiscoveritspreciousstores，sotheHolyScriptureshavetreasuresoftruththatarerevealedonlytotheearnest，humble，prayerfulseeker。GoddesignedtheBibletobealessonbooktoallmankind，inchildhood，youth，andmanhood，andtobestudiedthroughalltime。HegaveHiswordtomenasarevelationofHimself。EverynewtruthdiscernedisafreshdisclosureofthecharacterofitsAuthor。ThestudyoftheScripturesisthemeansdivinelyordainedtobringmenintocloserconnectionwiththeirCreatorandtogivethemaclearerknowledgeofHiswill。ItisthemediumofcommunicationbetweenGodandman。

WhiletheWaldensesregardedthefearoftheLordasthebeginningofwisdom，theywerenotblindtotheimportanceofacontactwiththeworld，aknowledgeofmenandof70

activelife，inexpandingthemindandquickeningtheperceptions。FromtheirschoolsinthemountainssomeoftheyouthweresenttoinstitutionsoflearninginthecitiesofFranceorItaly，wherewasamoreextendedfieldforstudy，thought，andobservationthanintheirnativeAlps。Theyouththussentforthwereexposedtotemptation，theywitnessedvice，theyencounteredSatan’swilyagents，whourgeduponthemthemostsubtleheresiesandthemostdangerousdeceptions。Buttheireducationfromchildhoodhadbeenofacharactertopreparethemforallthis。

Intheschoolswhithertheywent，theywerenottomakeconfidantsofany。

Theirgarmentsweresopreparedastoconcealtheirgreatesttreasure——thepreciousmanuscriptsoftheScriptures。These，thefruitofmonthsandyearsoftoil，theycarriedwiththem，andwhenevertheycoulddosowithoutexcitingsuspicion，theycautiouslyplacedsomeportioninthewayofthosewhoseheartsseemedopentoreceivethetruth。Fromtheirmother’skneetheWaldensianyouthhadbeentrainedwiththispurposeinview；theyunderstoodtheirworkandfaithfullyperformedit。Convertstothetruefaithwerewonintheseinstitutionsoflearning，andfrequentlyitsprincipleswerefoundtobepermeatingtheentireschool；yetthepapalleaderscouldnot，bytheclosestinquiry，tracetheso-calledcorruptingheresytoitssource。

ThespiritofChristisamissionaryspirit。TheveryfirstimpulseoftherenewedheartistobringothersalsototheSaviour。SuchwasthespiritoftheVaudoisChristians。TheyfeltthatGodrequiredmoreofthemthanmerelytopreservethetruthinitspurityintheirownchurches；thatasolemnresponsibilityresteduponthemtolettheirlightshineforthtothosewhowereindarkness；bythemightypowerofGod’swordtheysoughttobreakthebondagewhichRomehadimposed。TheVaudoisministersweretrainedasmissionaries，everyonewhoexpectedtoentertheministrybeingrequiredfirsttogainanexperienceasanevangelist。Each71

wastoservethreeyearsinsomemissionfieldbeforetakingchargeofachurchathome。Thisservice，requiringattheoutsetself-denialandsacrifice，wasafittingintroductiontothepastor’slifeinthosetimesthattriedmen’ssouls。Theyouthwhoreceivedordinationtothesacredofficesawbeforethem，nottheprospectofearthlywealthandglory，butalifeoftoilanddanger，andpossiblyamartyr’sfate。Themissionarieswentouttwoandtwo，asJesussentforthHisdisciples。Witheachyoungmanwasusuallyassociatedamanofageandexperience，theyouthbeingundertheguidanceofhiscompanion，whowasheldresponsibleforhistraining，andwhoseinstructionhewasrequiredtoheed。Thesecolaborerswerenotalwaystogether，butoftenmetforprayerandcounsel，thusstrengtheningeachotherinthefaith。

Tohavemadeknowntheobjectoftheirmissionwouldhaveensureditsdefeat；thereforetheycarefullyconcealedtheirrealcharacter。Everyministerpossessedaknowledgeofsometradeorprofession，andthemissionariesprosecutedtheirworkundercoverofasecularcalling。Usuallytheychosethatofmerchantorpeddler。"Theycarriedsilks，jewelry，andotherarticles，atthattimenoteasilypurchasablesaveatdistantmarts；

andtheywerewelcomedasmerchantswheretheywouldhavebeenspurnedasmissionaries。"——Wylie，b。1，ch。7。AllthewhiletheirheartswereupliftedtoGodforwisdomtopresentatreasuremorepreciousthangoldorgems。TheysecretlycarriedaboutwiththemcopiesoftheBible，inwholeorinpart；andwheneveranopportunitywaspresented，theycalledtheattentionoftheircustomerstothesemanuscripts。OftenaninteresttoreadGod’swordwasthusawakened，andsomeportionwasgladlyleftwiththosewhodesiredtoreceiveit。

Theworkofthesemissionariesbeganintheplainsandvalleysatthefootoftheirownmountains，butitextendedfarbeyondtheselimits。Withnakedfeetandingarmentscoarseandtravel-stainedaswerethoseoftheirMaster，72

theypassedthroughgreatcitiesandpenetratedtodistantlands。Everywheretheyscatteredthepreciousseed。Churchessprangupintheirpath，andthebloodofmartyrswitnessedforthetruth。ThedayofGodwillrevealarichharvestofsoulsgarneredbythelaborsofthesefaithfulmen。Veiledandsilent，thewordofGodwasmakingitswaythroughChristendomandmeetingagladreceptioninthehomesandheartsofmen。

TotheWaldensestheScriptureswerenotmerelyarecordofGod’sdealingswithmeninthepast，andarevelationoftheresponsibilitiesanddutiesofthepresent，butanunfoldingoftheperilsandgloriesofthefuture。Theybelievedthattheendofallthingswasnotfardistant，andastheystudiedtheBiblewithprayerandtearstheywerethemoredeeplyimpressedwithitspreciousutterancesandwiththeirdutytomakeknowntoothersitssavingtruths。Theysawtheplanofsalvationclearlyrevealedinthesacredpages，andtheyfoundcomfort，hope，andpeaceinbelievinginJesus。Asthelightilluminatedtheirunderstandingandmadegladtheirhearts，theylongedtosheditsbeamsuponthosewhowereinthedarknessofpapalerror。

Theysawthatundertheguidanceofpopeandpriest，multitudeswerevainlyendeavoringtoobtainpardonbyafflictingtheirbodiesforthesinoftheirsouls。Taughttotrusttotheirgoodworkstosavethem，theywereeverlookingtothemselves，theirmindsdwellingupontheirsinfulcondition，seeingthemselvesexposedtothewrathofGod，afflictingsoulandbody，yetfindingnorelief。ThusconscientioussoulswereboundbythedoctrinesofRome。Thousandsabandonedfriendsandkindred，andspenttheirlivesinconventcells。Byoft-repeatedfastsandcruelscourgings，bymidnightvigils，byprostrationforwearyhoursuponthecold，dampstonesoftheirdrearyabode，bylongpilgrimages，byhumiliatingpenanceandfearfultorture，thousandsvainlysoughttoobtainpeaceofconscience。Oppressedwithasenseofsin，andhauntedwiththefearofGod’savenging73

wrath，manysufferedon，untilexhaustednaturegaveway，andwithoutonerayoflightorhopetheysankintothetomb。

TheWaldenseslongedtobreaktothesestarvingsoulsthebreadoflife，toopentothemthemessagesofpeaceinthepromisesofGod，andtopointthemtoChristastheironlyhopeofsalvation。ThedoctrinethatgoodworkscanatoneforthetransgressionofGod’slawtheyheldtobebaseduponfalsehood。RelianceuponhumanmeritinterceptstheviewofChrist’sinfinitelove。JesusdiedasasacrificeformanbecausethefallenracecandonothingtorecommendthemselvestoGod。ThemeritsofacrucifiedandrisenSaviourarethefoundationoftheChristian’sfaith。ThedependenceofthesouluponChristisasreal，anditsconnectionwithHimmustbeasclose，asthatofalimbtothebody，orofabranchtothevine。

TheteachingsofpopesandpriestshadledmentolookuponthecharacterofGod，andevenofChrist，asstern，gloomy，andforbidding。TheSaviourwasrepresentedassofardevoidofsympathywithmaninhisfallenstatethatthemediationofpriestsandsaintsmustbeinvoked。ThosewhosemindshadbeenenlightenedbythewordofGodlongedtopointthesesoulstoJesusastheircompassionate，lovingSaviour，standingwithoutstretchedarms，invitingalltocometoHimwiththeirburdenofsin，theircareandweariness。TheylongedtoclearawaytheobstructionswhichSatanhadpiledupthatmenmightnotseethepromises，andcomedirectlytoGod，confessingtheirsins，andobtainingpardonandpeace。

EagerlydidtheVaudoismissionaryunfoldtotheinquiringmindtheprecioustruthsofthegospel。CautiouslyheproducedthecarefullywrittenportionsoftheHolyScriptures。Itwashisgreatestjoytogivehopetotheconscientious，sin-strickensoul，whocouldseeonlyaGodofvengeance，waitingtoexecutejustice。Withquiveringlipandtearfuleyedidhe，oftenonbendedknees，opentohisbrethrenthe74

preciouspromisesthatrevealthesinner’sonlyhope。Thusthelightoftruthpenetratedmanyadarkenedmind，rollingbackthecloudofgloom，untiltheSunofRighteousnessshoneintotheheartwithhealinginHisbeams。ItwasoftenthecasethatsomeportionofScripturewasreadagainandagain，thehearerdesiringittoberepeated，asifhewouldassurehimselfthathehadheardaright。Especiallywastherepetitionofthesewordseagerlydesired:"ThebloodofJesusChristHisSoncleansethusfromallsin。"1John1:7。"AsMoseslifteduptheserpentinthewilderness，evensomusttheSonofmanbeliftedup:thatwhosoeverbelievethinHimshouldnotperish，buthaveeternallife。"John3:14，15。

ManywereundeceivedinregardtotheclaimsofRome。Theysawhowvainisthemediationofmenorangelsinbehalfofthesinner。Asthetruelightdawnedupontheirmindstheyexclaimedwithrejoicing:"Christismypriest；

Hisbloodismysacrifice；Hisaltarismyconfessional。"TheycastthemselveswhollyuponthemeritsofJesus，repeatingthewords，"WithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseHim。"Hebrews11:6。"Thereisnoneothernameunderheavengivenamongmen，wherebywemustbesaved。"Acts4:12。

TheassuranceofaSaviour’sloveseemedtoomuchforsomeofthesepoortempest-tossedsoulstorealize。Sogreatwasthereliefwhichitbrought，suchafloodoflightwassheduponthem，thattheyseemedtransportedtoheaven。TheirhandswerelaidconfidinglyinthehandofChrist；theirfeetwereplantedupontheRockofAges。Allfearofdeathwasbanished。TheycouldnowcovettheprisonandthefagotiftheymighttherebyhonorthenameoftheirRedeemer。

InsecretplacesthewordofGodwasthusbroughtforthandread，sometimestoasinglesoul，sometimestoalittlecompanywhowerelongingforlightandtruth。Oftentheentirenightwasspentinthismanner。Sogreatwouldbethewonderandadmirationofthelistenersthatthemessengerofmercywasnotinfrequentlycompelledtoceasehisreading75

untiltheunderstandingcouldgraspthetidingsofsalvation。Oftenwouldwordslikethesebeuttered:"WillGodindeedacceptmyoffering？WillHesmileuponme？WillHepardonme？"Theanswerwasread:"ComeuntoMe，allyethatlaborandareheavy-laden，andIwillgiveyourrest。"Matthew11:28。

Faithgraspedthepromise，andthegladresponsewasheard:"Nomorelongpilgrimagestomake；nomorepainfuljourneystoholyshrines。ImaycometoJesusjustasIam，sinfulandunholy，andHewillnotspurnthepenitentialprayer。’Thysinsbeforgiventhee。’Mine，evenmine，maybeforgiven！"

Atideofsacredjoywouldfilltheheart，andthenameofJesuswouldbemagnifiedbypraiseandthanksgiving。Thosehappysoulsreturnedtotheirhomestodiffuselight，torepeattoothers，aswellastheycould，theirnewexperience；thattheyhadfoundthetrueandlivingWay。TherewasastrangeandsolemnpowerinthewordsofScripturethatspokedirectlytotheheartsofthosewhowerelongingforthetruth。ItwasthevoiceofGod，anditcarriedconvictiontothosewhoheard。

Themessengeroftruthwentonhisway；buthisappearanceofhumility，hissincerity，hisearnestnessanddeepfervor，weresubjectsoffrequentremark。Inmanyinstanceshishearershadnotaskedhimwhencehecameorwhitherhewent。Theyhadbeensooverwhelmed，atfirstwithsurprise，andafterwardwithgratitudeandjoy，thattheyhadnotthoughttoquestionhim。

Whentheyhadurgedhimtoaccompanythemtotheirhomes，hehadrepliedthathemustvisitthelostsheepoftheflock。Couldhehavebeenanangelfromheaven？theyqueried。

Inmanycasesthemessengeroftruthwasseennomore。Hehadmadehiswaytootherlands，orhewaswearingouthislifeinsomeunknowndungeon，orperhapshisboneswerewhiteningonthespotwherehehadwitnessedforthe76

truth。Butthewordshehadleftbehindcouldnotbedestroyed。Theyweredoingtheirworkintheheartsofmen；theblessedresultswillbefullyknownonlyinthejudgment。

TheWaldensianmissionarieswereinvadingthekingdomofSatan，andthepowersofdarknessarousedtogreatervigilance。Everyefforttoadvancethetruthwaswatchedbytheprinceofevil，andheexcitedthefearsofhisagents。Thepapalleaderssawaportentofdangertotheircausefromthelaborsofthesehumbleitinerants。Ifthelightoftruthwereallowedtoshineunobstructed，itwouldsweepawaytheheavycloudsoferrorthatenvelopedthepeople。ItwoulddirectthemindsofmentoGodaloneandwouldeventuallydestroythesupremacyofRome。

Theveryexistenceofthispeople，holdingthefaithoftheancientchurch，wasaconstanttestimonytoRome’sapostasy，andthereforeexcitedthemostbitterhatredandpersecution。TheirrefusaltosurrendertheScriptureswasalsoanoffensethatRomecouldnottolerate。Shedeterminedtoblotthemfromtheearth。NowbeganthemostterriblecrusadesagainstGod’speopleintheirmountainhomes。Inquisitorswereputupontheirtrack，andthesceneofinnocentAbelfallingbeforethemurderousCainwasoftenrepeated。

Againandagainweretheirfertilelandslaidwaste，theirdwellingsandchapelssweptaway，sothatwhereoncewereflourishingfieldsandthehomesofaninnocent，industriouspeople，thereremainedonlyadesert。Astheravenousbeastisrenderedmorefuriousbythetasteofblood，sotherageofthepapistswaskindledtogreaterintensitybythesufferingsoftheirvictims。Manyofthesewitnessesforapurefaithwerepursuedacrossthemountainsandhunteddowninthevalleyswheretheywerehidden，shutinbymightyforestsandpinnaclesofrock。

Nochargecouldbebroughtagainstthemoralcharacterofthisproscribedclass。Eventheirenemiesdeclaredthemtobeapeaceable，quiet，piouspeople。TheirgrandoffensewasthattheywouldnotworshipGodaccordingtothewill77

ofthepope。Forthiscrimeeveryhumiliation，insult，andtorturethatmenordevilscouldinventwasheapeduponthem。

WhenRomeatonetimedeterminedtoexterminatethehatedsect，abullwasissuedbythepope，condemningthemasheretics，anddeliveringthemtoslaughter。(SeeAppendix。)Theywerenotaccusedasidlers，ordishonest，ordisorderly；butitwasdeclaredthattheyhadanappearanceofpietyandsanctitythatseduced"thesheepofthetruefold。"Thereforethepopeordered"thatmaliciousandabominablesectofmalignants，"ifthey"refusetoabjure，tobecrushedlikevenomoussnakes。"——Wylie，b。16，ch。1。Didthishaughtypotentateexpecttomeetthosewordsagain？Didheknowthattheywereregisteredinthebooksofheaven，toconfronthimatthejudgment？"InasmuchasyehavedoneituntooneoftheleastoftheseMybrethren，"saidJesus，"yehavedoneituntoMe。"Matthew25:40。

Thisbullcalleduponallmembersofthechurchtojointhecrusadeagainsttheheretics。Asanincentivetoengageinthiscruelwork，it"absolvedfromallecclesiasticalpainsandpenalties，generalandparticular；itreleasedallwhojoinedthecrusadefromanyoathstheymighthavetaken；itlegitimatizedtheirtitletoanypropertytheymighthaveillegallyacquired；andpromisedremissionofalltheirsinstosuchasshouldkillanyheretic。ItannulledallcontractsmadeinfavorofVaudois，orderedtheirdomesticstoabandonthem，forbadeallpersonstogivethemanyaidwhatever，andempoweredallpersonstotakepossessionoftheirproperty。"——Wylie，b。16，ch。1。Thisdocumentclearlyrevealsthemasterspiritbehindthescenes。Itistheroarofthedragon，andnotthevoiceofChrist，thatisheardtherein。

ThepapalleaderswouldnotconformtheircharacterstothegreatstandardofGod’slaw，buterectedastandardtosuitthemselves，anddeterminedtocompelalltoconformtothisbecauseRomewilledit。Themosthorribletragedieswereenacted。CorruptandblasphemouspriestsandpopesweredoingtheworkwhichSatanappointedthem。Mercyhad78

noplaceintheirnatures。ThesamespiritthatcrucifiedChristandslewtheapostles，thesamethatmovedtheblood-thirstyNeroagainstthefaithfulinhisday，wasatworktoridtheearthofthosewhowerebelovedofGod。

ThepersecutionsvisitedformanycenturiesuponthisGod-fearingpeoplewereenduredbythemwithapatienceandconstancythathonoredtheirRedeemer。Notwithstandingthecrusadesagainstthem，andtheinhumanbutcherytowhichtheyweresubjected，theycontinuedtosendouttheirmissionariestoscattertheprecioustruth。Theywerehuntedtodeath；yettheirbloodwateredtheseedsown，anditfailednotofyieldingfruit。ThustheWaldenseswitnessedforGodcenturiesbeforethebirthofLuther。

Scatteredovermanylands，theyplantedtheseedsoftheReformationthatbeganinthetimeofWycliffe，grewbroadanddeepinthedaysofLuther，andistobecarriedforwardtothecloseoftimebythosewhoalsoarewillingtosufferallthingsfor"thewordofGod，andforthetestimonyofJesusChrist。"Revelation1:9。

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Chapter5

JohnWycliffeBeforetheReformationtherewereattimesbutveryfewcopiesoftheBibleinexistence，butGodhadnotsufferedHiswordtobewhollydestroyed。Itstruthswerenottobeforeverhidden。HecouldaseasilyunchainthewordsoflifeasHecouldopenprisondoorsandunboltirongatestosetHisservantsfree。InthedifferentcountriesofEuropemenweremovedbytheSpiritofGodtosearchforthetruthasforhidtreasures。ProvidentiallyguidedtotheHolyScriptures，theystudiedthesacredpageswithintenseinterest。Theywerewillingtoacceptthelightatanycosttothemselves。

Thoughtheydidnotseeallthingsclearly，theywereenabledtoperceivemanylong-buriedtruths。AsHeaven-sentmessengerstheywentforth，rendingasunderthechainsoferrorandsuperstition，andcallinguponthosewhohadbeensolongenslaved，toariseandasserttheirliberty。

ExceptamongtheWaldenses，thewordofGodhadforagesbeenlockedupinlanguagesknownonlytothelearned；butthetimehadcomefortheScripturestobetranslatedandgiventothepeopleofdifferentlandsintheirnativetongue。Theworldhadpasseditsmidnight。Thehoursofdarknesswerewearingaway，andinmanylandsappearedtokensofthecomingdawn。

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InthefourteenthcenturyaroseinEnglandthe"morningstaroftheReformation。"JohnWycliffewastheheraldofreform，notforEnglandalone，butforallChristendom。ThegreatprotestagainstRomewhichitwaspermittedhimtoutterwasnevertobesilenced。Thatprotestopenedthestrugglewhichwastoresultintheemancipationofindividuals，ofchurches，andofnations。

Wycliffereceivedaliberaleducation，andwithhimthefearoftheLordwasthebeginningofwisdom。Hewasnotedatcollegeforhisferventpietyaswellasforhisremarkabletalentsandsoundscholarship。Inhisthirstforknowledgehesoughttobecomeacquaintedwitheverybranchoflearning。Hewaseducatedinthescholasticphilosophy，inthecanonsofthechurch，andinthecivillaw，especiallythatofhisowncountry。Inhisafterlaborsthevalueofthisearlytrainingwasapparent。Athoroughacquaintancewiththespeculativephilosophyofhistimeenabledhimtoexposeitserrors；andbyhisstudyofnationalandecclesiasticallawhewaspreparedtoengageinthegreatstruggleforcivilandreligiousliberty。WhilehecouldwieldtheweaponsdrawnfromthewordofGod，hehadacquiredtheintellectualdisciplineoftheschools，andheunderstoodthetacticsoftheschoolmen。

Thepowerofhisgeniusandtheextentandthoroughnessofhisknowledgecommandedtherespectofbothfriendsandfoes。Hisadherentssawwithsatisfactionthattheirchampionstoodforemostamongtheleadingmindsofthenation；andhisenemieswerepreventedfromcastingcontemptuponthecauseofreformbyexposingtheignoranceorweaknessofitssupporter。

WhileWycliffewasstillatcollege，heentereduponthestudyoftheScriptures。Inthoseearlytimes，whentheBibleexistedonlyintheancientlanguages，scholarswereenabledtofindtheirwaytothefountainoftruth，whichwasclosedtotheuneducatedclasses。ThusalreadythewayhadbeenpreparedforWycliffe’sfutureworkasaReformer。Men81

oflearninghadstudiedthewordofGodandhadfoundthegreattruthofHisfreegracethererevealed。Intheirteachingstheyhadspreadaknowledgeofthistruth，andhadledotherstoturntothelivingoracles。

WhenWycliffe’sattentionwasdirectedtotheScriptures，heenteredupontheirinvestigationwiththesamethoroughnesswhichhadenabledhimtomasterthelearningoftheschools。Heretoforehehadfeltagreatwant，whichneitherhisscholasticstudiesnortheteachingofthechurchcouldsatisfy。InthewordofGodhefoundthatwhichhehadbeforesoughtinvain。HerehesawtheplanofsalvationrevealedandChristsetforthastheonlyadvocateforman。HegavehimselftotheserviceofChristanddeterminedtoproclaimthetruthshehaddiscovered。

LikeafterReformers，Wycliffedidnot，attheopeningofhiswork，foreseewhitheritwouldleadhim。HedidnotsethimselfdeliberatelyinoppositiontoRome。Butdevotiontotruthcouldnotbutbringhiminconflictwithfalsehood。Themoreclearlyhediscernedtheerrorsofthepapacy，themoreearnestlyhepresentedtheteachingoftheBible。HesawthatRomehadforsakenthewordofGodforhumantradition；hefearlesslyaccusedthepriesthoodofhavingbanishedtheScriptures，anddemandedthattheBibleberestoredtothepeopleandthatitsauthoritybeagainestablishedinthechurch。Hewasanableandearnestteacherandaneloquentpreacher，andhisdailylifewasademonstrationofthetruthshepreached。HisknowledgeoftheScriptures，theforceofhisreasoning，thepurityofhislife，andhisunbendingcourageandintegritywonforhimgeneralesteemandconfidence。

ManyofthepeoplehadbecomedissatisfiedwiththeirformerfaithastheysawtheiniquitythatprevailedintheRomanChurch，andtheyhailedwithunconcealedjoythetruthsbroughttoviewbyWycliffe；butthepapalleaderswerefilledwithragewhentheyperceivedthatthisReformerwasgaininganinfluencegreaterthantheirown。

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Wycliffewasakeendetectoroferror，andhestruckfearlesslyagainstmanyoftheabusessanctionedbytheauthorityofRome。Whileactingaschaplainfortheking，hetookaboldstandagainstthepaymentoftributeclaimedbythepopefromtheEnglishmonarchandshowedthatthepapalassumptionofauthorityoversecularrulerswascontrarytobothreasonandrevelation。

Thedemandsofthepopehadexcitedgreatindignation，andWycliffe’steachingsexertedaninfluenceupontheleadingmindsofthenation。Thekingandthenoblesunitedindenyingthepontiff’sclaimtotemporalauthorityandinrefusingthepaymentofthetribute。ThusaneffectualblowwasstruckagainstthepapalsupremacyinEngland。

AnotherevilagainstwhichtheReformerwagedlongandresolutebattlewastheinstitutionoftheordersofmendicantfriars。ThesefriarsswarmedinEngland，castingablightuponthegreatnessandprosperityofthenation。

Industry，education，morals，allfeltthewitheringinfluence。Themonk’slifeofidlenessandbeggarywasnotonlyaheavydrainupontheresourcesofthepeople，butitbroughtusefullaborintocontempt。Theyouthweredemoralizedandcorrupted。Bytheinfluenceofthefriarsmanywereinducedtoenteracloisteranddevotethemselvestoamonasticlife，andthisnotonlywithouttheconsentoftheirparents，butevenwithouttheirknowledgeandcontrarytotheircommands。OneoftheearlyFathersoftheRomanChurch，urgingtheclaimsofmonasticismabovetheobligationsoffilialloveandduty，haddeclared:"Thoughthyfathershouldliebeforethydoorweepingandlamenting，andthymothershouldshowthebodythatboretheeandthebreaststhatnursedthee，seethatthoutramplethemunderfoot，andgoonwardstraightwaytoChrist。"Bythis"monstrousinhumanity，"asLutherafterwardstyledit，"savoringmoreofthewolfandthetyrantthanoftheChristianandtheman，"weretheheartsofchildrensteeledagainsttheirparents——BarnasSears，TheLifeofLuther，pages70，69。Thusdidthepapal83

leaders，likethePhariseesofold，makethecommandmentofGodofnoneeffectbytheirtradition。Thushomesweremadedesolateandparentsweredeprivedofthesocietyoftheirsonsanddaughters。

Eventhestudentsintheuniversitiesweredeceivedbythefalserepresentationsofthemonksandinducedtojointheirorders。Manyafterwardrepentedthisstep，seeingthattheyhadblightedtheirownlivesandhadbroughtsorrowupontheirparents；butoncefastinthesnareitwasimpossibleforthemtoobtaintheirfreedom。Manyparents，fearingtheinfluenceofthemonks，refusedtosendtheirsonstotheuniversities。

Therewasamarkedfallingoffinthenumberofstudentsinattendanceatthegreatcentersoflearning。Theschoolslanguished，andignoranceprevailed。

Thepopehadbestowedonthesemonksthepowertohearconfessionsandtograntpardon。Thisbecameasourceofgreatevil。Bentonenhancingtheirgains，thefriarsweresoreadytograntabsolutionthatcriminalsofalldescriptionsresortedtothem，and，asaresult，theworstvicesrapidlyincreased。Thesickandthepoorwerelefttosuffer，whilethegiftsthatshouldhaverelievedtheirwantswenttothemonks，whowiththreatsdemandedthealmsofthepeople，denouncingtheimpietyofthosewhoshouldwithholdgiftsfromtheirorders。Notwithstandingtheirprofessionofpoverty，thewealthofthefriarswasconstantlyincreasing，andtheirmagnificentedificesandluxurioustablesmademoreapparentthegrowingpovertyofthenation。Andwhilespendingtheirtimeinluxuryandpleasure，theysentoutintheirsteadignorantmen，whocouldonlyrecountmarveloustales，legends，andjeststoamusethepeopleandmakethemstillmorecompletelythedupesofthemonks。Yetthefriarscontinuedtomaintaintheirholdonthesuperstitiousmultitudesandledthemtobelievethatallreligiousdutywascomprisedinacknowledgingthesupremacyofthepope，adoringthesaints，andmakinggiftstothemonks，andthatthiswassufficienttosecurethemaplaceinheaven。