第7章

FrancisIhadgloriedinbeingaleaderinthegreatmovementfortherevivaloflearningwhichmarkedtheopeningofthesixteenthcentury。Hehaddelightedtogatherathiscourtmenoflettersfromeverycountry。Tohisloveoflearningandhiscontemptfortheignoranceandsuperstitionofthemonkswasdue，inpartatleast，thedegreeoftolerationthathadbeengrantedtothereform。But，inspiredwithzealtostampoutheresy，thispatronoflearningissuedanedictdeclaringprintingabolishedalloverFrance！FrancisIpresentsoneamongthemanyexamplesonrecordshowingthatintellectualcultureisnotasafeguardagainstreligiousintoleranceandpersecution。

FrancebyasolemnandpublicceremonywastocommitherselffullytothedestructionofProtestantism。ThepriestsdemandedthattheaffrontofferedtoHighHeaveninthecondemnationofthemassbeexpiatedinblood，andthattheking，inbehalfofhispeople，publiclygivehissanctiontothedreadfulwork。

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The21stofJanuary，1535，wasfixeduponfortheawfulceremonial。Thesuperstitiousfearsandbigotedhatredofthewholenationhadbeenroused。

Pariswasthrongedwiththemultitudesthatfromallthesurroundingcountrycrowdedherstreets。Thedaywastobeusheredinbyavastandimposingprocession。"Thehousesalongthelineofmarchwerehungwithmourningdrapery，andaltarsroseatintervals。"Beforeeverydoorwasalightedtorchinhonorofthe"holysacrament。"Beforedaybreaktheprocessionformedatthepalaceoftheking。"Firstcamethebannersandcrossesoftheseveralparishes；nextappearedthecitizens，walkingtwoandtwo，andbearingtorches。"Thefourordersoffriarsfollowed，eachinitsownpeculiardress。Thencameavastcollectionoffamousrelics。Followingtheserodelordlyecclesiasticsintheirpurpleandscarletrobesandjeweledadornings，agorgeousandglitteringarray。

"ThehostwascarriedbythebishopofParisunderamagnificentcanopy，……supportedbyfourprincesoftheblood……Afterthehostwalkedtheking……FrancisIonthatdayworenocrown，norrobeofstate。"With"headuncovered，hiseyescastontheground，andinhishandalightedtaper，"thekingofFranceappeared"inthecharacterofapenitent。"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。21。Ateveryaltarheboweddowninhumiliation，norforthevicesthatdefiledhissoul，northeinnocentbloodthatstainedhishands，butforthedeadlysinofhissubjectswhohaddaredtocondemnthemass。Followinghimcamethequeenandthedignitariesofstate，alsowalkingtwoandtwo，eachwithalightedtorch。

Asapartoftheservicesofthedaythemonarchhimselfaddressedthehighofficialsofthekingdominthegreathallofthebishop’spalace。Withasorrowfulcountenanceheappearedbeforethemandinwordsofmovingeloquencebewailed"thecrime，theblasphemy，thedayofsorrowanddisgrace，"thathadcomeuponthenation。AndhecalleduponeveryloyalsubjecttoaidintheextirpationofthepestilentheresythatthreatenedFrancewithruin。"Astrue，messieurs，asIamyourking，"hesaid，"ifI

knewoneofmy229

ownlimbsspottedorinfectedwiththisdetestablerottenness，Iwouldgiveityoutocutoff……Andfurther，ifIsawoneofmychildrendefiledbyit，Iwouldnotsparehim……Iwoulddeliverhimupmyself，andwouldsacrificehimtoGod。"Tearschokedhisutterance，andthewholeassemblywept，withoneaccordexclaiming:"WewillliveanddiefortheCatholicreligion！"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。4，ch。12。

Terriblehadbecomethedarknessofthenationthathadrejectedthelightoftruth。Thegrace"thatbringethsalvation"hadappeared；butFrance，afterbeholdingitspowerandholiness，afterthousandshadbeendrawnbyitsdivinebeauty，aftercitiesandhamletshadbeenilluminatedbyitsradiance，hadturnedaway，choosingdarknessratherthanlight。Theyhadputfromthemtheheavenlygiftwhenitwasofferedthem。Theyhadcalledevilgood，andgoodevil，tilltheyhadfallenvictimstotheirwillfulself-deception。Now，thoughtheymightactuallybelievethattheyweredoingGodserviceinpersecutingHispeople，yettheirsinceritydidnotrenderthemguiltless。Thelightthatwouldhavesavedthemfromdeception，fromstainingtheirsoulswithbloodguiltiness，theyhadwillfullyrejected。

Asolemnoathtoextirpateheresywastakeninthegreatcathedralwhere，nearlythreecenturieslater，theGoddessofReasonwastobeenthronedbyanationthathadforgottenthelivingGod。Againtheprocessionformed，andtherepresentativesofFrancesetouttobegintheworkwhichtheyhadsworntodo。"Atshortdistancesscaffoldshadbeenerected，onwhichcertainProtestantChristiansweretobeburnedalive，anditwasarrangedthatthefagotsshouldbelightedatthemomentthekingapproached，andthattheprocessionshouldhalttowitnesstheexecution。"——Wylie，b。13，ch。21。ThedetailsofthetorturesenduredbythesewitnessesforChristaretooharrowingforrecital；buttherewasnowaveringonthepartofthevictims。

Onbeingurgedtorecant，oneanswered:"Ionlybelieveinwhattheprophetsandtheapostlesformerlypreached，andwhatallthecompanyof230

saintsbelieved。MyfaithhasaconfidenceinGodwhichwillresistallthepowersofhell。"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。4，ch。12。

Againandagaintheprocessionhaltedattheplacesoftorture。Uponreachingtheirstartingpointattheroyalpalace，thecrowddispersed，andthekingandtheprelateswithdrew，wellsatisfiedwiththeday’sproceedingsandcongratulatingthemselvesthattheworknowbegunwouldbecontinuedtothecompletedestructionofheresy。

ThegospelofpeacewhichFrancehadrejectedwastobeonlytoosurelyrootedout，andterriblewouldbetheresults。Onthe21stofJanuary，1793，twohundredandfifty-eightyearsfromtheverydaythatfullycommittedFrancetothepersecutionoftheReformers，anotherprocession，withafardifferentpurpose，passedthroughthestreetsofParis。"Againthekingwasthechieffigure；againthereweretumultandshouting；againtherewasheardthecryformorevictims；againtherewereblackscaffolds；andagainthescenesofthedaywereclosedbyhorridexecutions；LouisXVI，strugglinghandtohandwithhisjailersandexecutioners，wasdraggedforwardtotheblock，andtherehelddownbymainforcetilltheaxhadfallen，andhisdisseveredheadrolledonthescaffold。"——Wylie，b。13，ch。

21。Norwasthekingtheonlyvictim；nearthesamespottwothousandandeighthundredhumanbeingsperishedbytheguillotineduringthebloodydaysoftheReignofTerror。

TheReformationhadpresentedtotheworldanopenBible，unsealingthepreceptsofthelawofGodandurgingitsclaimsupontheconsciencesofthepeople。InfiniteLovehadunfoldedtomenthestatutesandprinciplesofheaven。Godhadsaid:"Keepthereforeanddothem；forthisisyourwisdomandyourunderstandinginthesightofthenations，whichshallhearallthesestatutes，andsay，Surelythisgreatnationisawiseandunderstandingpeople。"Deuteronomy4:6。WhenFrancerejectedthegiftofheaven，shesowedtheseedsofanarchyandruin；andtheinevitableoutworkingofcauseandeffectresultedintheRevolutionandtheReignofTerror。

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Longbeforethepersecutionexcitedbytheplacards，theboldandardentFarelhadbeenforcedtofleefromthelandofhisbirth。HerepairedtoSwitzerland，andbyhislabors，secondingtheworkofZwingli，hehelpedtoturnthescaleinfavoroftheReformation。Hislateryearsweretobespenthere，yethecontinuedtoexertadecidedinfluenceuponthereforminFrance。Duringthefirstyearsofhisexile，hiseffortswereespeciallydirectedtospreadingthegospelinhisnativecountry。Hespentconsiderabletimeinpreachingamonghiscountrymennearthefrontier，wherewithtirelessvigilancehewatchedtheconflictandaidedbyhiswordsofencouragementandcounsel。Withtheassistanceofotherexiles，thewritingsoftheGermanReformersweretranslatedintotheFrenchlanguageand，togetherwiththeFrenchBible，wereprintedinlargequantities。BycolporteurstheseworksweresoldextensivelyinFrance。Theywerefurnishedtothecolporteursatalowprice，andthustheprofitsoftheworkenabledthemtocontinueit。

FarelentereduponhisworkinSwitzerlandinthehumbleguiseofaschoolmaster。Repairingtoasecludedparish，hedevotedhimselftotheinstructionofchildren。Besidestheusualbranchesoflearning，hecautiouslyintroducedthetruthsoftheBible，hopingthroughthechildrentoreachtheparents。Thereweresomewhobelieved，butthepriestscameforwardtostopthework，andthesuperstitiouscountrypeoplewererousedtoopposeit。"ThatcannotbethegospelofChrist，"urgedthepriest，"seeingthepreachingofitdoesnotbringpeace，butwar。"——Wylie，b。14，ch。3。Likethefirstdisciples，whenpersecutedinonecityhefledtoanother。Fromvillagetovillage，fromcitytocity，hewent，travelingonfoot，enduringhunger，cold，andweariness，andeverywhereinperilofhislife。Hepreachedinthemarketplaces，inthechurches，sometimesinthepulpitsofthecathedrals。Sometimeshefoundthechurchemptyofhearers；

attimeshispreachingwasinterruptedbyshoutsandjeers；againhewaspulledviolentlyoutofthepulpit。Morethanoncehewassetuponbytherabbleandbeatenalmosttodeath。Yethe232

pressedforward。Thoughoftenrepulsed，withunwearyingpersistencehereturnedtotheattack；and，oneafteranother，hesawtownsandcitieswhichhadbeenstrongholdsofpopery，openingtheirgatestothegospel。Thelittleparishwherehehadfirstlaboredsoonacceptedthereformedfaith。

ThecitiesofMoratandNeuchatelalsorenouncedtheRomishritesandremovedtheidolatrousimagesfromtheirchurches。

FarelhadlongdesiredtoplanttheProtestantstandardinGeneva。Ifthiscitycouldbewon，itwouldbeacenterfortheReformationinFrance，inSwitzerland，andinItaly。Withthisobjectbeforehim，hehadcontinuedhislaborsuntilmanyofthesurroundingtownsandhamletshadbeengained。ThenwithasinglecompanionheenteredGeneva。Butonlytwosermonswashepermittedtopreach。Thepriests，havingvainlyendeavoredtosecurehiscondemnationbythecivilauthorities，summonedhimbeforeanecclesiasticalcouncil，towhichtheycamewitharmsconcealedundertheirrobes，determinedtotakehislife。Outsidethehall，afuriousmob，withclubsandswords，wasgatheredtomakesureofhisdeathifheshouldsucceedinescapingthecouncil。Thepresenceofmagistratesandanarmedforce，however，savedhim。Earlynextmorninghewasconducted，withhiscompanion，acrossthelaketoaplaceofsafety。ThusendedhisfirstefforttoevangelizeGeneva。

Forthenexttrialalowlierinstrumentwaschosen——ayoungman，sohumbleinappearancethathewascoldlytreatedevenbytheprofessedfriendsofreform。ButwhatcouldsuchaonedowhereFarelhadbeenrejected？Howcouldoneoflittlecourageandexperiencewithstandthetempestbeforewhichthestrongestandbravesthadbeenforcedtoflee？"Notbymight，norbypower，butbyMySpirit，saiththeLord。"Zechariah4:6。"Godhathchosentheweakthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthethingswhicharemighty。"

"BecausethefoolishnessofGodiswiserthanmen；andtheweaknessofGodisstrongerthanmen。"1Corinthians1:27，25。

Fromentbeganhisworkasaschoolmaster。Thetruthswhichhetaughtthechildrenatschooltheyrepeatedat233

theirhomes。SoontheparentscametoheartheBibleexplained，untiltheschoolroomwasfilledwithattentivelisteners。NewTestamentsandtractswerefreelydistributed，andtheyreachedmanywhodarednotcomeopenlytolistentothenewdoctrines。Afteratimethislaboreralsowasforcedtoflee；butthetruthshetaughthadtakenholduponthemindsofthepeople。

TheReformationhadbeenplanted，anditcontinuedtostrengthenandextend。

Thepreachersreturned，andthroughtheirlaborstheProtestantworshipwasfinallyestablishedinGeneva。

ThecityhadalreadydeclaredfortheReformationwhenCalvin，aftervariouswanderingsandvicissitudes，entereditsgates。Returningfromalastvisittohisbirthplace，hewasonhiswaytoBasel，when，findingthedirectroadoccupiedbythearmiesofCharlesV，hewasforcedtotakethecircuitousroutebyGeneva。

InthisvisitFarelrecognizedthehandofGod。ThoughGenevahadacceptedthereformedfaith，yetagreatworkremainedtobeaccomplishedhere。ItisnotascommunitiesbutasindividualsthatmenareconvertedtoGod；theworkofregenerationmustbewroughtintheheartandconsciencebythepoweroftheHolySpirit，notbythedecreesofcouncils。WhilethepeopleofGenevahadcastofftheauthorityofRome，theywerenotsoreadytorenouncethevicesthathadflourishedunderherrule。ToestablishherethepureprinciplesofthegospelandtopreparethispeopletofillworthilythepositiontowhichProvidenceseemedcallingthemwerenotlighttasks。

FarelwasconfidentthathehadfoundinCalvinonewhomhecouldunitewithhimselfinthiswork。InthenameofGodhesolemnlyadjuredtheyoungevangelisttoremainandlaborhere。Calvindrewbackinalarm。Timidandpeace-loving，heshrankfromcontactwiththebold，independent，andevenviolentspiritoftheGenevese。Thefeeblenessofhishealth，togetherwithhisstudioushabits，ledhimtoseekretirement。Believingthatbyhispenhecouldbestservethecauseofreform，hedesiredtofindaquiet234

retreatforstudy，andthere，throughthepress，instructandbuildupthechurches。ButFarel’ssolemnadmonitioncametohimasacallfromHeaven，andhedarednotrefuse。Itseemedtohim，hesaid，"thatthehandofGodwasstretcheddownfromheaven，thatitlayholdofhim，andfixedhimirrevocablytotheplacehewassoimpatienttoleave。"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。9，ch。17。

AtthistimegreatperilssurroundedtheProtestantcause。TheanathemasofthepopethunderedagainstGeneva，andmightynationsthreateneditwithdestruction。Howwasthislittlecitytoresistthepowerfulhierarchythathadsooftenforcedkingsandemperorstosubmission？Howcoulditstandagainstthearmiesoftheworld’sgreatconquerors？

ThroughoutChristendom，Protestantismwasmenacedbyformidablefoes。ThefirsttriumphsoftheReformationpast，Romesummonednewforces，hopingtoaccomplishitsdestruction。AtthistimetheorderoftheJesuitswascreated，themostcruel，unscrupulous，andpowerfulofallthechampionsofpopery。Cutofffromearthlytiesandhumaninterests，deadtotheclaimsofnaturalaffection，reasonandconsciencewhollysilenced，theyknewnorule，notie，butthatoftheirorder，andnodutybuttoextenditspower。(SeeAppendix。)ThegospelofChristhadenableditsadherentstomeetdangerandenduresuffering，undismayedbycold，hunger，toil，andpoverty，toupholdthebanneroftruthinfaceoftherack，thedungeon，andthestake。Tocombattheseforces，Jesuitisminspireditsfollowerswithafanaticismthatenabledthemtoendurelikedangers，andtoopposetothepoweroftruthalltheweaponsofdeception。Therewasnocrimetoogreatforthemtocommit，nodeceptiontoobaseforthemtopractice，nodisguisetoodifficultforthemtoassume。Vowedtoperpetualpovertyandhumility，itwastheirstudiedaimtosecurewealthandpower，tobedevotedtotheoverthrowofProtestantism，andthere-establishmentofthepapalsupremacy。

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Whenappearingasmembersoftheirorder，theyworeagarbofsanctity，visitingprisonsandhospitals，ministeringtothesickandthepoor，professingtohaverenouncedtheworld，andbearingthesacrednameofJesus，whowentaboutdoinggood。Butunderthisblamelessexteriorthemostcriminalanddeadlypurposeswereoftenconcealed。Itwasafundamentalprincipleoftheorderthattheendjustifiesthemeans。Bythiscode，lying，theft，perjury，assassination，werenotonlypardonablebutcommendable，whentheyservedtheinterestsofthechurch。UndervariousdisguisestheJesuitsworkedtheirwayintoofficesofstate，climbinguptobethecounselorsofkings，andshapingthepolicyofnations。Theybecameservantstoactasspiesupontheirmasters。Theyestablishedcollegesforthesonsofprincesandnobles，andschoolsforthecommonpeople；andthechildrenofProtestantparentsweredrawnintoanobservanceofpopishrites。AlltheoutwardpompanddisplayoftheRomishworshipwasbroughttobeartoconfusethemindanddazzleandcaptivatetheimagination，andthusthelibertyforwhichthefathershadtoiledandbledwasbetrayedbythesons。TheJesuitsrapidlyspreadthemselvesoverEurope，andwherevertheywent，therefollowedarevivalofpopery。

Togivethemgreaterpower，abullwasissuedre-establishingtheinquisition。(SeeAppendix。)Notwithstandingthegeneralabhorrencewithwhichitwasregarded，eveninCatholiccountries，thisterribletribunalwasagainsetupbypopishrulers，andatrocitiestooterribletobearthelightofdaywererepeatedinitssecretdungeons。Inmanycountries，thousandsuponthousandsoftheveryflowerofthenation，thepurestandnoblest，themostintellectualandhighlyeducated，piousanddevotedpastors，industriousandpatrioticcitizens，brilliantscholars，talentedartists，skillfulartisans，wereslainorforcedtofleetootherlands。

SuchwerethemeanswhichRomehadinvokedtoquenchthelightoftheReformation，towithdrawfrommentheBible，andtorestoretheignoranceandsuperstitionoftheDark236

Ages。ButunderGod’sblessingandthelaborsofthosenoblemenwhomHehadraiseduptosucceedLuther，Protestantismwasnotoverthrown。Nottothefavororarmsofprinceswasittooweitsstrength。Thesmallestcountries，thehumblestandleastpowerfulnations，becameitsstrongholds。ItwaslittleGenevainthemidstofmightyfoesplottingherdestruction；itwasHollandonhersandbanksbythenorthernsea，wrestlingagainstthetyrannyofSpain，thenthegreatestandmostopulentofkingdoms；itwasbleak，sterileSweden，thatgainedvictoriesfortheReformation。

FornearlythirtyyearsCalvinlaboredatGeneva，firsttoestablishthereachurchadheringtothemoralityoftheBible，andthenfortheadvancementoftheReformationthroughoutEurope。Hiscourseasapublicleaderwasnotfaultless，norwerehisdoctrinesfreefromerror。Buthewasinstrumentalinpromulgatingtruthsthatwereofspecialimportanceinhistime，inmaintainingtheprinciplesofProtestantismagainstthefast-returningtideofpopery，andinpromotinginthereformedchurchessimplicityandpurityoflife，inplaceoftheprideandcorruptionfosteredundertheRomishteaching。

FromGeneva，publicationsandteacherswentouttospreadthereformeddoctrines。Tothispointthepersecutedofalllandslookedforinstruction，counsel，andencouragement。ThecityofCalvinbecamearefugeforthehuntedReformersofallWesternEurope。Fleeingfromtheawfultempeststhatcontinuedforcenturies，thefugitivescametothegatesofGeneva。

Starving，wounded，bereftofhomeandkindred，theywerewarmlywelcomedandtenderlycaredfor；andfindingahomehere，theyblessedthecityoftheiradoptionbytheirskill，theirlearning，andtheirpiety。ManywhosoughtherearefugereturnedtotheirowncountriestoresistthetyrannyofRome。

JohnKnox，thebraveScotchReformer，notafewoftheEnglishPuritans，theProtestantsofHollandandofSpain，andtheHuguenotsofFrancecarriedfromGenevathetorchoftruthtolightenthedarknessoftheirnativelands。

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Chapter13

TheNetherlandsandScandinaviaInTheNetherlandsthepapaltyrannyveryearlycalledforthresoluteprotest。SevenhundredyearsbeforeLuther’stimetheRomanpontiffwasthusfearlesslyimpeachedbytwobishops，who，havingbeensentonanembassytoRome，hadlearnedthetruecharacterofthe"holysee":God"hasmadeHisqueenandspouse，thechurch，anobleandeverlastingprovisionforherfamily，withadowrythatisneitherfadingnorcorruptible，andgivenheraneternalcrownandscepter；……allwhichbenefitsyoulikeathiefintercept。YousetupyourselfinthetempleofGod；insteadofapastor，youarebecomeawolftothesheep；……youwouldmakeusbelieveyouareasupremebishop，butyouratherbehavelikeatyrant……Whereasyououghttobeaservantofservants，asyoucallyourself，youendeavortobecomealordoflords……YoubringthecommandsofGodintocontempt……TheHolyGhostisthebuilderofallchurchesasfarastheearthextends……ThecityofourGod，ofwhichwearethecitizens，reachestoalltheregionsoftheheavens；anditisgreaterthanthecity，bytheholyprophetsnamedBabylon，whichpretendstobedivine，winsherselftoheaven，andbragsthatherwisdomisimmortal；andfinally，thoughwithoutreason，thatsheneverdiderr，norevercan。"——GerardBrandt，HistoryoftheReformationinandAbouttheLowCountries，b。1，p。6。

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Othersarosefromcenturytocenturytoechothisprotest。Andthoseearlyteacherswho，traversingdifferentlandsandknownbyvariousnames，borethecharacteroftheVaudoismissionaries，andspreadeverywheretheknowledgeofthegospel，penetratedtotheNetherlands。Theirdoctrinesspreadrapidly。TheWaldensianBibletheytranslatedinverseintotheDutchlanguage。Theydeclared"thattherewasgreatadvantageinit；nojests，nofables，notrifles，nodeceits，butthewordsoftruth；thatindeedtherewashereandthereahardcrust，butthatthemarrowandsweetnessofwhatwasgoodandholymightbeeasilydiscoveredinit。"——Ibid。，b。1，p。14。

Thuswrotethefriendsoftheancientfaith，inthetwelfthcentury。

NowbegantheRomishpersecutions；butinthemidstoffagotsandtorturethebelieverscontinuedtomultiply，steadfastlydeclaringthattheBibleistheonlyinfallibleauthorityinreligion，andthat"nomanshouldbecoercedtobelieve，butshouldbewonbypreaching。"——Martyn，vol。2，p。87。

TheteachingsofLutherfoundacongenialsoilintheNetherlands，andearnestandfaithfulmenarosetopreachthegospel。FromoneoftheprovincesofHollandcameMennoSimons。EducatedaRomanCatholicandordainedtothepriesthood，hewaswhollyignorantoftheBible，andhewouldnotreaditforfearofbeingbeguiledintoheresy。Whenadoubtconcerningthedoctrineoftransubstantiationforceditselfuponhim，heregardeditasatemptationfromSatan，andbyprayerandconfessionsoughttofreehimselffromit；butinvain。Byminglinginscenesofdissipationheendeavoredtosilencetheaccusingvoiceofconscience；butwithoutavail。AfteratimehewasledtothestudyoftheNewTestament，andthis，withLuther’swritings，causedhimtoacceptthereformedfaith。Hesoonafterwitnessedinaneighboringvillagethebeheadingofamanwhowasputtodeathforhavingbeenrebaptized。ThisledhimtostudytheBibleinregardtoinfantbaptism。HecouldfindnoevidenceforitintheScriptures，butsawthatrepentanceandfaithare239

everywhererequiredastheconditionofreceivingbaptism。

MennowithdrewfromtheRomanChurchanddevotedhislifetoteachingthetruthswhichhehadreceived。InbothGermanyandtheNetherlandsaclassoffanaticshadrisen，advocatingabsurdandseditiousdoctrines，outragingorderanddecency，andproceedingtoviolenceandinsurrection。Mennosawthehorribleresultstowhichthesemovementswouldinevitablylead，andhestrenuouslyopposedtheerroneousteachingsandwildschemesofthefanatics。Thereweremany，however，whohadbeenmisledbythesefanatics，butwhohadrenouncedtheirperniciousdoctrines；andtherewerestillremainingmanydescendantsoftheancientChristians，thefruitsoftheWaldensianteaching。AmongtheseclassesMennolaboredwithgreatzealandsuccess。

Fortwenty-fiveyearshetraveled，withhiswifeandchildren，enduringgreathardshipsandprivations，andfrequentlyinperilofhislife。HetraversedtheNetherlandsandnorthernGermany，laboringchieflyamongthehumblerclassesbutexertingawidespreadinfluence。Naturallyeloquent，thoughpossessingalimitededucation，hewasamanofunwaveringintegrity，ofhumblespiritandgentlemanners，andofsincereandearnestpiety，exemplifyinginhisownlifethepreceptswhichhetaught，andhecommandedtheconfidenceofthepeople。Hisfollowerswerescatteredandoppressed。

TheysufferedgreatlyfrombeingconfoundedwiththefanaticalMunsterites。

Yetgreatnumberswereconvertedunderhislabors。

NowherewerethereformeddoctrinesmoregenerallyreceivedthanintheNetherlands。Infewcountriesdidtheiradherentsenduremoreterriblepersecution。InGermanyCharlesVhadbannedtheReformation，andhewouldgladlyhavebroughtallitsadherentstothestake；buttheprincesstoodupasabarrieragainsthistyranny。IntheNetherlandshispowerwasgreater，andpersecutingedictsfollowedeachotherinquicksuccession。ToreadtheBible，tohearorpreach240

it，oreventospeakconcerningit，wastoincurthepenaltyofdeathbythestake。TopraytoGodinsecret，torefrainfrombowingtoanimage，ortosingapsalm，wasalsopunishablewithdeath。Eventhosewhoshouldabjuretheirerrorswerecondemned，ifmen，todiebythesword；ifwomen，tobeburiedalive。ThousandsperishedunderthereignofCharlesandofPhilipII。

Atonetimeawholefamilywasbroughtbeforetheinquisitors，chargedwithremainingawayfrommassandworshipingathome。Onhisexaminationastotheirpracticesinsecrettheyoungestsonanswered:"Wefallonourknees，andpraythatGodmayenlightenourmindsandpardonoursins；weprayforoursovereign，thathisreignmaybeprosperousandhislifehappy；weprayforourmagistrates，thatGodmaypreservethem。"——Wylie，b。18，ch。6。Someofthejudgesweredeeplymoved，yetthefatherandoneofhissonswerecondemnedtothestake。

Therageofthepersecutorswasequaledbythefaithofthemartyrs。Notonlymenbutdelicatewomenandyoungmaidensdisplayedunflinchingcourage。

"Wiveswouldtaketheirstandbytheirhusband’sstake，andwhilehewasenduringthefiretheywouldwhisperwordsofsolace，orsingpsalmstocheerhim。""Youngmaidenswouldliedownintheirlivinggraveasiftheywereenteringintotheirchamberofnightlysleep；orgoforthtothescaffoldandthefire，dressedintheirbestapparel，asiftheyweregoingtotheirmarriage。"——Ibid。，b。18，ch。6。

Asinthedayswhenpaganismsoughttodestroythegospel，thebloodoftheChristianswasseed。(SeeTertullian，Apology，paragraph50。)Persecutionservedtoincreasethenumberofwitnessesforthetruth。Yearafteryearthemonarch，stungtomadnessbytheunconquerabledeterminationofthepeople，urgedonhiscruelwork；butinvain。UnderthenobleWilliamofOrangetheRevolutionatlastbroughttoHollandfreedomtoworshipGod。

InthemountainsofPiedmont，ontheplainsofFranceandtheshoresofHolland，theprogressofthegospelwas241

markedwiththebloodofitsdisciples。ButinthecountriesoftheNorthitfoundapeacefulentrance。StudentsatWittenberg，returningtotheirhomes，carriedthereformedfaithtoScandinavia。ThepublicationofLuther’swritingsalsospreadthelight。Thesimple，hardypeopleoftheNorthturnedfromthecorruption，thepomp，andthesuperstitionsofRome，towelcomethepurity，thesimplicity，andthelife-givingtruthsoftheBible。

Tausen，"theReformerofDenmark，"wasapeasant’sson。Theboyearlygaveevidenceofvigorousintellect；hethirstedforaneducation；butthiswasdeniedhimbythecircumstancesofhisparents，andheenteredacloister。

Herethepurityofhislife，togetherwithhisdiligenceandfidelity，wonthefavorofhissuperior。Examinationshowedhimtopossesstalentthatpromisedatsomefuturedaygoodservicetothechurch。ItwasdeterminedtogivehimaneducationatsomeoneoftheuniversitiesofGermanyortheNetherlands。Theyoungstudentwasgrantedpermissiontochooseaschoolforhimself，withoneproviso，thathemustnotgotoWittenberg。Thescholarofthechurchwasnottobeendangeredbythepoisonofheresy。Sosaidthefriars。

TausenwenttoCologne，whichwasthen，asnow，oneofthestrongholdsofRomanism。Herehesoonbecamedisgustedwiththemysticismsoftheschoolmen。AboutthesametimeheobtainedLuther’swritings。Hereadthemwithwonderanddelight，andgreatlydesiredtoenjoythepersonalinstructionoftheReformer。Buttodosohemustriskgivingoffensetohismonasticsuperiorandforfeitinghissupport。Hisdecisionwassoonmade，anderelonghewasenrolledasastudentatWittenberg。

OnreturningtoDenmark，heagainrepairedtohiscloister。NooneasyetsuspectedhimofLutheranism；hedidnotrevealhissecret，butendeavored，withoutexcitingtheprejudicesofhiscompanions，toleadthemtoapurerfaithandaholierlife。HeopenedtheBible，andexplaineditstruemeaning，andatlastpreachedChristtothemasthesinner’srighteousnessandhisonlyhopeofsalvation。Greatwasthe242

wrathoftheprior，whohadbuilthighhopesuponhimasavaliantdefenderofRome。Hewasatonceremovedfromhisownmonasterytoanotherandconfinedtohiscellunderstrictsupervision。

TotheterrorofhisnewguardiansseveralofthemonkssoondeclaredthemselvesconvertstoProtestantism。ThroughthebarsofhiscellTausenhadcommunicatedtohiscompanionsaknowledgeofthetruth。HadthoseDanishfathersbeenskilledinthechurch’splanofdealingwithheresy，Tausen’svoicewouldneveragainhavebeenheard；butinsteadofconsigninghimtoatombinsomeundergrounddungeon，theyexpelledhimfromthemonastery。Nowtheywerepowerless。Aroyaledict，justissued，offeredprotectiontotheteachersofthenewdoctrine。Tausenbegantopreach。Thechurcheswereopenedtohim，andthepeoplethrongedtolisten。OthersalsowerepreachingthewordofGod。TheNewTestament，translatedintotheDanishtongue，waswidelycirculated。Theeffortsmadebythepapiststooverthrowtheworkresultedinextendingit，anderelongDenmarkdeclareditsacceptanceofthereformedfaith。

InSweden，also，youngmenwhohaddrunkfromthewellofWittenbergcarriedthewateroflifetotheircountrymen。TwooftheleadersintheSwedishReformation，OlafandLaurentiusPetri，thesonsofablacksmithofOrebro，studiedunderLutherandMelanchthon，andthetruthswhichtheythuslearnedtheywerediligenttoteach。LikethegreatReformer，Olafarousedthepeoplebyhiszealandeloquence，whileLaurentius，likeMelanchthon，waslearned，thoughtful，andcalm。Bothweremenofardentpiety，ofhightheologicalattainments，andofunflinchingcourageinadvancingthetruth。

Papistoppositionwasnotlacking。TheCatholicprieststirreduptheignorantandsuperstitiouspeople。OlafPetriwasoftenassailedbythemob，anduponseveraloccasionsbarelyescapedwithhislife。TheseReformerswere，however，favoredandprotectedbytheking。

243

UndertheruleoftheRomanChurchthepeopleweresunkeninpovertyandgrounddownbyoppression。TheyweredestituteoftheScriptures；andhavingareligionofmeresignsandceremonies，whichconveyednolighttothemind，theywerereturningtothesuperstitiousbeliefsandpaganpracticesoftheirheathenancestors。Thenationwasdividedintocontendingfactions，whoseperpetualstrifeincreasedthemiseryofall。Thekingdetermineduponareformationinthestateandthechurch，andhewelcomedtheseableassistantsinthebattleagainstRome。

InthepresenceofthemonarchandtheleadingmenofSweden，OlafPetriwithgreatabilitydefendedthedoctrinesofthereformedfaithagainsttheRomishchampions。HedeclaredthattheteachingsoftheFathersaretobereceivedonlywheninaccordancewiththeScriptures；thattheessentialdoctrinesofthefaitharepresentedintheBibleinaclearandsimplemanner，sothatallmenmayunderstandthem。Christsaid，"MydoctrineisnotMine，butHisthatsentMe"(John7:16)；andPauldeclaredthatshouldhepreachanyothergospelthanthatwhichhehadreceived，hewouldbeaccursed(Galatians1:8)。"How，then，"saidtheReformer，"shallotherspresumetoenactdogmasattheirpleasure，andimposethemasthingsnecessarytosalvation？"——Wylie，b。10，ch。4。HeshowedthatthedecreesofthechurchareofnoauthoritywheninoppositiontothecommandsofGod，andmaintainedthegreatProtestantprinciplethat"theBibleandtheBibleonly"istheruleoffaithandpractice。

Thiscontest，thoughconducteduponastagecomparativelyobscure，servestoshowus"thesortofmenthatformedtherankandfileofthearmyoftheReformers。Theywerenotilliterate，sectarian，noisycontroversialists——farfromit；theyweremenwhohadstudiedthewordofGod，andknewwellhowtowieldtheweaponswithwhichthearmoryoftheBiblesuppliedthem。Inrespectoferuditiontheywereaheadoftheirage。WhenweconfineourattentiontosuchbrilliantcentersasWittenbergandZurich，andtosuchillustrious244

namesasthoseofLutherandMelanchthon，ofZwingliandOecolampadius，weareapttobetold，theseweretheleadersofthemovement，andweshouldnaturallyexpectinthemprodigiouspowerandvastacquisitions；butthesubordinateswerenotlikethese。Well，weturntotheobscuretheaterofSweden，andthehumblenamesofOlafandLaurentiusPetri——fromthemasterstothedisciples——whatdowefind？……Scholarsandtheologians；menwhohavethoroughlymasteredthewholesystemofgospeltruth，andwhowinaneasyvictoryoverthesophistsoftheschoolsandthedignitariesofRome。"——Ibid。，b。10，ch。4。

AstheresultofthisdisputationthekingofSwedenacceptedtheProtestantfaith，andnotlongafterwardthenationalassemblydeclaredinitsfavor。

TheNewTestamenthadbeentranslatedbyOlafPetriintotheSwedishlanguage，andatthedesireofthekingthetwobrothersundertookthetranslationofthewholeBible。ThusforthefirsttimethepeopleofSwedenreceivedthewordofGodintheirnativetongue。ItwasorderedbytheDietthatthroughoutthekingdom，ministersshouldexplaintheScripturesandthatthechildrenintheschoolsshouldbetaughttoreadtheBible。

Steadilyandsurelythedarknessofignoranceandsuperstitionwasdispelledbytheblessedlightofthegospel。FreedfromRomishoppression，thenationattainedtoastrengthandgreatnessithadneverbeforereached。SwedenbecameoneofthebulwarksofProtestantism。Acenturylater，atatimeofsorestperil，thissmallandhithertofeeblenation——theonlyoneinEuropethatdaredlendahelpinghand——cametothedeliveranceofGermanyintheterriblestruggleoftheThirtyYears’War。AllNorthernEuropeseemedabouttobebroughtagainunderthetyrannyofRome。ItwasthearmiesofSwedenthatenabledGermanytoturnthetideofpopishsuccess，towintolerationfortheProtestants，——CalvinistsaswellasLutherans，——andtorestorelibertyofconsciencetothosecountriesthathadacceptedtheReformation。

(245)

Chapter14

LaterEnglishReformersWhileLutherwasopeningaclosedBibletothepeopleofGermany，TyndalewasimpelledbytheSpiritofGodtodothesameforEngland。Wycliffe’sBiblehadbeentranslatedfromtheLatintext，whichcontainedmanyerrors。

Ithadneverbeenprinted，andthecostofmanuscriptcopieswassogreatthatfewbutwealthymenornoblescouldprocureit；and，furthermore，beingstrictlyproscribedbythechurch，ithadhadacomparativelynarrowcirculation。In1516，ayearbeforetheappearanceofLuther’stheses，ErasmushadpublishedhisGreekandLatinversionoftheNewTestament。NowforthefirsttimethewordofGodwasprintedintheoriginaltongue。Inthisworkmanyerrorsofformerversionswerecorrected，andthesensewasmoreclearlyrendered。Itledmanyamongtheeducatedclassestoabetterknowledgeofthetruth，andgaveanewimpetustotheworkofreform。Butthecommonpeoplewerestill，toagreatextent，debarredfromGod’sword。

TyndalewastocompletetheworkofWycliffeingivingtheBibletohiscountrymen。

Adiligentstudentandanearnestseekerfortruth，hehadreceivedthegospelfromtheGreekTestamentofErasmus。Hefearlesslypreachedhisconvictions，urgingthatalldoctrinesbetestedbytheScriptures。TothepapistclaimthatthechurchhadgiventheBible，andthechurchalonecouldexplainit，Tyndaleresponded:"Doyouknowwhotaught246

theeaglestofindtheirprey？Well，thatsameGodteachesHishungrychildrentofindtheirFatherinHisword。FarfromhavinggivenustheScriptures，itisyouwhohavehiddenthemfromus；itisyouwhoburnthosewhoteachthem，andifyoucould，youwouldburntheScripturesthemselves。"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationoftheSixteenthCentury，b。18，ch。4。

Tyndale’spreachingexcitedgreatinterest；manyacceptedthetruth。Butthepriestswereonthealert，andnosoonerhadheleftthefieldthantheybytheirthreatsandmisrepresentationsendeavoredtodestroyhiswork。Toooftentheysucceeded。"Whatistobedone？"heexclaimed。"WhileIamsowinginoneplace，theenemyravagesthefieldIhavejustleft。Icannotbeeverywhere。Oh！ifChristianspossessedtheHolyScripturesintheirowntongue，theycouldofthemselveswithstandthesesophists。WithouttheBibleitisimpossibletoestablishthelaityinthetruth。"——Ibid。，b。18，ch。4。

Anewpurposenowtookpossessionofhismind。"ItwasinthelanguageofIsrael，"saidhe，"thatthepsalmsweresunginthetempleofJehovah；andshallnotthegospelspeakthelanguageofEnglandamongus？……Oughtthechurchtohavelesslightatnoondaythanatthedawn？……ChristiansmustreadtheNewTestamentintheirmothertongue。"Thedoctorsandteachersofthechurchdisagreedamongthemselves。OnlybytheBiblecouldmenarriveatthetruth。"Oneholdeththisdoctor，anotherthat……Noweachoftheseauthorscontradictstheother。Howthencanwedistinguishhimwhosaysrightfromhimwhosayswrong？……How？……VerilybyGod’sword。"——Ibid。，b。18，ch。4。

ItwasnotlongafterthatalearnedCatholicdoctor，engagingincontroversywithhim，exclaimed:"WewerebettertobewithoutGod’slawsthanthepope’s。"Tyndalereplied:"Idefythepopeandallhislaws；andifGodsparemylife，eremanyyearsIwillcauseaboythatdriveththeplowtoknowmoreoftheScripturethanyoudo。"——Anderson，AnnalsoftheEnglishBible，page19。

Thepurposewhichhehadbeguntocherish，ofgivingto247

thepeopletheNewTestamentScripturesintheirownlanguage，wasnowconfirmed，andheimmediatelyappliedhimselftothework。Drivenfromhishomebypersecution，hewenttoLondon，andthereforatimepursuedhislaborsundisturbed。Butagaintheviolenceofthepapistsforcedhimtoflee。AllEnglandseemedclosedagainsthim，andheresolvedtoseekshelterinGermany。HerehebegantheprintingoftheEnglishNewTestament。Twicetheworkwasstopped；butwhenforbiddentoprintinonecity，hewenttoanother。AtlasthemadehiswaytoWorms，where，afewyearsbefore，LutherhaddefendedthegospelbeforetheDiet。InthatancientcityweremanyfriendsoftheReformation，andTyndalethereprosecutedhisworkwithoutfurtherhindrance。ThreethousandcopiesoftheNewTestamentweresoonfinished，andanothereditionfollowedinthesameyear。

Withgreatearnestnessandperseverancehecontinuedhislabors。

NotwithstandingtheEnglishauthoritieshadguardedtheirportswiththestrictestvigilance，thewordofGodwasinvariouswayssecretlyconveyedtoLondonandthencecirculatedthroughoutthecountry。Thepapistsattemptedtosuppressthetruth，butinvain。ThebishopofDurhamatonetimeboughtofabooksellerwhowasafriendofTyndalehiswholestockofBibles，forthepurposeofdestroyingthem，supposingthatthiswouldgreatlyhinderthework。But，onthecontrary，themoneythusfurnished，purchasedmaterialforanewandbetteredition，which，butforthis，couldnothavebeenpublished。WhenTyndalewasafterwardmadeaprisoner，hislibertywasofferedhimonconditionthathewouldrevealthenamesofthosewhohadhelpedhimmeettheexpenseofprintinghisBibles。HerepliedthatthebishopofDurhamhaddonemorethananyotherperson；forbypayingalargepriceforthebooksleftonhand，hehadenabledhimtogoonwithgoodcourage。

Tyndalewasbetrayedintothehandsofhisenemies，andatonetimesufferedimprisonmentformanymonths。Hefinallywitnessedforhisfaithbyamartyr’sdeath；buttheweaponswhichhepreparedhaveenabledothersoldiers248

todobattlethroughallthecenturieseventoourtime。

LatimermaintainedfromthepulpitthattheBibleoughttobereadinthelanguageofthepeople。TheAuthorofHolyScripture，saidhe，"isGodHimself；"andthisScripturepartakesofthemightandeternityofitsAuthor。"Thereisnoking，emperor，magistrate，andruler……butareboundtoobey……Hisholyword。""Letusnottakeanybywalks，butletGod’sworddirectus:letusnotwalkafter……ourforefathers，norseeknotwhattheydid，butwhattheyshouldhavedone。"——HughLatimer，"FirstSermonPreachedBeforeKingEdwardVI。"

BarnesandFrith，thefaithfulfriendsofTyndale，arosetodefendthetruth。TheRidleysandCranmerfollowed。TheseleadersintheEnglishReformationweremenoflearning，andmostofthemhadbeenhighlyesteemedforzealorpietyintheRomishcommunion。Theiroppositiontothepapacywastheresultoftheirknowledgeoftheerrorsofthe"holysee。"TheiracquaintancewiththemysteriesofBabylongavegreaterpowertotheirtestimoniesagainsther。

"NowIwouldaskastrangequestion，"saidLatimer。"WhoisthemostdiligentbishopandprelateinallEngland？……IseeyoulisteningandhearkeningthatIshouldnamehim……Iwilltellyou:itisthedevil……Heisneveroutofhisdiocese；callforhimwhenyouwill，heiseverathome；……heiseverathisplow……Yeshallneverfindhimidle，I

warrantyou……Wherethedevilisresident，……thereawaywithbooks，andupwithcandles；awaywithBibles，andupwithbeads；awaywiththelightofthegospel，andupwiththelightofcandles，yea，atnoondays；……downwithChrist’scross，upwithpurgatorypickpurse；……awaywithclothingthenaked，thepoor，andimpotent，upwithdeckingofimagesandgaygarnishingofstocksandstones；upwithman’straditionsandhislaws，downwithGod’straditionsandHismostholyword……Othatourprelateswouldbeasdiligenttosowthecornofgooddoctrine，asSatanistosowcockleanddarnel！"——Ibid。，"SermonofthePlough。"

249

ThegrandprinciplemaintainedbytheseReformers——thesamethathadbeenheldbytheWaldenses，byWycliffe，byJohnHuss，byLuther，Zwingli，andthosewhounitedwiththem——wastheinfallibleauthorityoftheHolyScripturesasaruleoffaithandpractice。Theydeniedtherightofpopes，councils，Fathers，andkings，tocontroltheconscienceinmattersofreligion。TheBiblewastheirauthority，andbyitsteachingtheytestedalldoctrinesandallclaims。FaithinGodandHiswordsustainedtheseholymenastheyyieldeduptheirlivesatthestake。"Beofgoodcomfort，"exclaimedLatimertohisfellowmartyrastheflameswereabouttosilencetheirvoices，"weshallthisdaylightsuchacandle，byGod’sgrace，inEngland，asItrustshallneverbeputout。"——WorksofHughLatimer，vol。1，p。

xiii。

InScotlandtheseedsoftruthscatteredbyColumbaandhiscolaborershadneverbeenwhollydestroyed。ForhundredsofyearsafterthechurchesofEnglandsubmittedtoRome，thoseofScotlandmaintainedtheirfreedom。Inthetwelfthcentury，however，poperybecameestablishedhere，andinnocountrydiditexerciseamoreabsolutesway。Nowherewasthedarknessdeeper。Stilltherecameraysoflighttopiercethegloomandgivepromiseofthecomingday。TheLollards，comingfromEnglandwiththeBibleandtheteachingsofWycliffe，didmuchtopreservetheknowledgeofthegospel，andeverycenturyhaditswitnessesandmartyrs。

WiththeopeningoftheGreatReformationcamethewritingsofLuther，andthenTyndale’sEnglishNewTestament。Unnoticedbythehierarchy，thesemessengerssilentlytraversedthemountainsandvalleys，kindlingintonewlifethetorchoftruthsonearlyextinguishedinScotland，andundoingtheworkwhichRomeforfourcenturiesofoppressionhaddone。

Thenthebloodofmartyrsgavefreshimpetustothemovement。Thepapistleaders，suddenlyawakeningtothedangerthatthreatenedtheircause，broughttothestakesomeofthe250

noblestandmosthonoredofthesonsofScotland。Theydidbuterectapulpit，fromwhichthewordsofthesedyingwitnesseswereheardthroughouttheland，thrillingthesoulsofthepeoplewithanundyingpurposetocastofftheshacklesofRome。

HamiltonandWishart，princelyincharacterasinbirth，withalonglineofhumblerdisciples，yieldeduptheirlivesatthestake。ButfromtheburningpileofWisharttherecameonewhomtheflameswerenottosilence，onewhounderGodwastostrikethedeathknellofpoperyinScotland。

JohnKnoxhadturnedawayfromthetraditionsandmysticismsofthechurch，tofeeduponthetruthsofGod’sword；andtheteachingofWisharthadconfirmedhisdeterminationtoforsakethecommunionofRomeandjoinhimselftothepersecutedReformers。

Urgedbyhiscompanionstotaketheofficeofpreacher，heshrankwithtremblingfromitsresponsibility，anditwasonlyafterdaysofseclusionandpainfulconflictwithhimselfthatheconsented。Buthavingonceacceptedtheposition，hepressedforwardwithinflexibledeterminationandundauntedcourageaslongaslifecontinued。ThistrueheartedReformerfearednotthefaceofman。Thefiresofmartyrdom，blazingaroundhim，servedonlytoquickenhiszealtogreaterintensity。Withthetyrant’saxheldmenacinglyoverhishead，hestoodhisground，strikingsturdyblowsontherighthandandonthelefttodemolishidolatry。

WhenbroughtfacetofacewiththequeenofScotland，inwhosepresencethezealofmanyaleaderoftheProtestantshadabated，JohnKnoxboreunswervingwitnessforthetruth。Hewasnottobewonbycaresses；hequailednotbeforethreats。Thequeenchargedhimwithheresy。Hehadtaughtthepeopletoreceiveareligionprohibitedbythestate，shedeclared，andhadthustransgressedGod’scommandenjoiningsubjectstoobeytheirprinces。Knoxansweredfirmly:

"Asrightreligiontookneitheroriginalstrengthnorauthorityfromworldlyprinces，butfromtheeternalGodalone，soarenotsubjectsboundtoframetheirreligion251

accordingtotheappetitesoftheirprinces。ForoftitisthatprincesarethemostignorantofallothersinGod’struereligion……IfalltheseedofAbrahamhadbeenofthereligionofPharaoh，whosesubjectstheylongwere，Iprayyou，madam，whatreligionwouldtherehavebeenintheworld？OrifallmeninthedaysoftheapostleshadbeenofthereligionoftheRomanemperors，whatreligionwouldtherehavebeenuponthefaceoftheearth？……Andso，madam，yemayperceivethatsubjectsarenotboundtothereligionoftheirprinces，albeittheyarecommandedtogivethemobedience。"

SaidMary:"YeinterprettheScripturesinonemanner，andthey[theRomanCatholicteachers]interpretinanother；whomshallIbelieve，andwhoshallbejudge？"

"YeshallbelieveGod，thatplainlyspeakethinHisword，"answeredtheReformer；"andfartherthanthewordteachesyou，yeneithershallbelievetheonenortheother。ThewordofGodisplaininitself；andifthereappearanyobscurityinoneplace，theHolyGhost，whichisnevercontrarytoHimself，explainsthesamemoreclearlyinotherplaces，sothattherecanremainnodoubtbutuntosuchasobstinatelyremainignorant。"——DavidLaing，TheCollectedWorksofJohnKnox，vol。2，pp。281，284。

SuchwerethetruthsthatthefearlessReformer，attheperilofhislife，spokeintheearofroyalty。Withthesameundauntedcouragehekepttohispurpose，prayingandfightingthebattlesoftheLord，untilScotlandwasfreefrompopery。

InEnglandtheestablishmentofProtestantismasthenationalreligiondiminished，butdidnotwhollystop，persecution。WhilemanyofthedoctrinesofRomehadbeenrenounced，notafewofitsformswereretained。

Thesupremacyofthepopewasrejected，butinhisplacethemonarchwasenthronedastheheadofthechurch。Intheserviceofthechurchtherewasstillawidedeparturefromthepurityandsimplicityofthegospel。Thegreatprincipleofreligiouslibertywasnotyetunderstood。Thoughthe252

horriblecrueltieswhichRomeemployedagainstheresywereresortedtobutrarelybyProtestantrulers，yettherightofeverymantoworshipGodaccordingtothedictatesofhisownconsciencewasnotacknowledged。Allwererequiredtoacceptthedoctrinesandobservetheformsofworshipprescribedbytheestablishedchurch。Dissenterssufferedpersecution，toagreaterorlessextent，forhundredsofyears。

Intheseventeenthcenturythousandsofpastorswereexpelledfromtheirpositions。Thepeoplewereforbidden，onpainofheavyfines，imprisonment，andbanishment，toattendanyreligiousmeetingsexceptsuchasweresanctionedbythechurch。ThosefaithfulsoulswhocouldnotrefrainfromgatheringtoworshipGodwerecompelledtomeetindarkalleys，inobscuregarrets，andatsomeseasonsinthewoodsatmidnight。Intheshelteringdepthsoftheforest，atempleofGod’sownbuilding，thosescatteredandpersecutedchildrenoftheLordassembledtopourouttheirsoulsinprayerandpraise。Butdespitealltheirprecautions，manysufferedfortheirfaith。Thejailswerecrowded。Familieswerebrokenup。Manywerebanishedtoforeignlands。YetGodwaswithHispeople，andpersecutioncouldnotprevailtosilencetheirtestimony。ManyweredrivenacrosstheoceantoAmericaandherelaidthefoundationsofcivilandreligiouslibertywhichhavebeenthebulwarkandgloryofthiscountry。

Again，asinapostolicdays，persecutionturnedouttothefurtheranceofthegospel。Inaloathsomedungeoncrowdedwithprofligatesandfelons，JohnBunyanbreathedtheveryatmosphereofheaven；andtherehewrotehiswonderfulallegoryofthepilgrim’sjourneyfromthelandofdestructiontothecelestialcity。ForovertwohundredyearsthatvoicefromBedfordjailhasspokenwiththrillingpowertotheheartsofmen。Bunyan’sPilgrim’sProgressandGraceAboundingtotheChiefofSinnershaveguidedmanyfeetintothepathoflife。

Baxter，Flavel，Alleine，andothermenoftalent，education，anddeepChristianexperiencestoodupinvaliantdefenseof253

thefaithwhichwasoncedeliveredtothesaints。Theworkaccomplishedbythesemen，proscribedandoutlawedbytherulersofthisworld，canneverperish。Flavel’sFountainofLifeandMethodofGracehavetaughtthousandshowtocommitthekeepingoftheirsoulstoChrist。Baxter’sReformedPastorhasprovedablessingtomanywhodesirearevivaloftheworkofGod，andhisSaints’EverlastingResthasdoneitsworkinleadingsoulstothe"rest"thatremainethforthepeopleofGod。

Ahundredyearslater，inadayofgreatspiritualdarkness，WhitefieldandtheWesleysappearedaslightbearersforGod。UndertheruleoftheestablishedchurchthepeopleofEnglandhadlapsedintoastateofreligiousdeclensionhardlytobedistinguishedfromheathenism。Naturalreligionwasthefavoritestudyoftheclergy，andincludedmostoftheirtheology。Thehigherclassessneeredatpiety，andpridedthemselvesonbeingabovewhattheycalleditsfanaticism。Thelowerclassesweregrosslyignorantandabandonedtovice，whilethechurchhadnocourageorfaithanylongertosupportthedownfallencauseoftruth。

Thegreatdoctrineofjustificationbyfaith，soclearlytaughtbyLuther，hadbeenalmostwhollylostsightof；andtheRomishprincipleoftrustingtogoodworksforsalvation，hadtakenitsplace。WhitefieldandtheWesleys，whoweremembersoftheestablishedchurch，weresincereseekersforthefavorofGod，andthistheyhadbeentaughtwastobesecuredbyavirtuouslifeandanobservanceoftheordinancesofreligion。

WhenCharlesWesleyatonetimefellill，andanticipatedthatdeathwasapproaching，hewasaskeduponwhatherestedhishopeofeternallife。Hisanswerwas:"IhaveusedmybestendeavorstoserveGod。"Asthefriendwhohadputthequestionseemednottobefullysatisfiedwithhisanswer，Wesleythought:"What！arenotmyendeavorsasufficientgroundofhope？

Wouldherobmeofmyendeavors？Ihavenothingelsetotrustto。"——JohnWhitehead，LifeoftheRev。CharlesWesley，page102。Suchwasthedensedarkness254

thathadsettleddownonthechurch，hidingtheatonement，robbingChristofHisglory，andturningthemindsofmenfromtheironlyhopeofsalvation——thebloodofthecrucifiedRedeemer。

Wesleyandhisassociateswereledtoseethattruereligionisseatedintheheart，andthatGod’slawextendstothethoughtsaswellastothewordsandactions。Convincedofthenecessityofholinessofheart，aswellascorrectnessofoutwarddeportment，theysetoutinearnestuponanewlife。Bythemostdiligentandprayerfuleffortstheyendeavoredtosubduetheevilsofthenaturalheart。Theylivedalifeofself-denial，charity，andhumiliation，observingwithgreatrigorandexactnesseverymeasurewhichtheythoughtcouldbehelpfultotheminobtainingwhattheymostdesired——thatholinesswhichcouldsecurethefavorofGod。Buttheydidnotobtaintheobjectwhichtheysought。Invainweretheirendeavorstofreethemselvesfromthecondemnationofsinortobreakitspower。ItwasthesamestrugglewhichLutherhadexperiencedinhiscellatErfurt。Itwasthesamequestionwhichhadtorturedhissoul——"HowshouldmanbejustbeforeGod？"Job。9:2。

Thefiresofdivinetruth，well-nighextinguisheduponthealtarsofProtestantism，weretoberekindledfromtheancienttorchhandeddowntheagesbytheBohemianChristians。AftertheReformation，ProtestantisminBohemiahadbeentrampledoutbythehordesofRome。Allwhorefusedtorenouncethetruthwereforcedtoflee。Someofthese，findingrefugeinSaxony，theremaintainedtheancientfaith。ItwasfromthedescendantsoftheseChristiansthatlightcametoWesleyandhisassociates。

JohnandCharlesWesley，afterbeingordainedtotheministry，weresentonamissiontoAmerica。OnboardtheshipwasacompanyofMoravians。Violentstormswereencounteredonthepassage，andJohnWesley，broughtfacetofacewithdeath，feltthathehadnottheassuranceofpeacewithGod。TheGermans，onthecontrary，manifestedacalmnessandtrusttowhichhewasastranger。

255

"Ihadlongbefore，"hesays，"observedthegreatseriousnessoftheirbehavior。Oftheirhumilitytheyhadgivenacontinualproof，byperformingthoseservileofficesfortheotherpassengerswhichnoneoftheEnglishwouldundertake；forwhichtheydesiredandwouldreceivenopay，sayingitwasgoodfortheirproudhearts，andtheirlovingSaviourhaddonemoreforthem。Andeverydayhadgiventhemoccasionofshowingameeknesswhichnoinjurycouldmove。Iftheywerepushed，struck，orthrownabout，theyroseagainandwentaway；butnocomplaintwasfoundintheirmouth。Therewasnowanopportunityoftryingwhethertheyweredeliveredfromthespiritoffear，aswellasfromthatofpride，anger，andrevenge。Inthemidstofthepsalmwherewiththeirservicebegan，theseabrokeover，splitthemainsailinpieces，coveredtheship，andpouredinbetweenthedecksasifthegreatdeephadalreadyswallowedusup。AterriblescreamingbeganamongtheEnglish。TheGermanscalmlysangon。Iaskedoneofthemafterwards，’Wereyounotafraid？’Heanswered，’IthankGod，no。’Iasked，’Butwerenotyourwomenandchildrenafraid？’Herepliedmildly，’No；ourwomenandchildrenarenotafraidtodie。’"——Whitehead，LifeoftheRev。JohnWesley，page10。

UponarrivinginSavannah，WesleyforashorttimeabodewiththeMoravians，andwasdeeplyimpressedwiththeirChristiandeportment。Ofoneoftheirreligiousservices，instrikingcontrasttothelifelessformalismoftheChurchofEngland，hewrote:"Thegreatsimplicityaswellassolemnityofthewholealmostmademeforgettheseventeenhundredyearsbetween，andimaginemyselfinoneofthoseassemblieswhereformandstatewerenot；butPaul，thetentmaker，orPeter，thefisherman，presided；yetwiththedemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower。"——Ibid。，pages11，12。

OnhisreturntoEngland，Wesley，undertheinstructionofaMoravianpreacher，arrivedataclearerunderstandingofBiblefaith。Hewasconvincedthathemustrenouncealldependenceuponhisownworksforsalvationandmusttrust256

whollyto"theLambofGod，whichtakethawaythesinoftheworld。"AtameetingoftheMoraviansocietyinLondonastatementwasreadfromLuther，describingthechangewhichtheSpiritofGodworksintheheartofthebeliever。AsWesleylistened，faithwaskindledinhissoul。"Ifeltmyheartstrangelywarmed，"hesays。"IfeltIdidtrustinChrist，Christalone，forsalvation:andanassurancewasgivenme，thatHehadtakenawaymysins，evenmine，andsavedmefromthelawofsinanddeath。"——Ibid。，page52。

Throughlongyearsofwearisomeandcomfortlessstriving——yearsofrigorousself-denial，ofreproachandhumiliation——WesleyhadsteadfastlyadheredtohisonepurposeofseekingGod。NowhehadfoundHim；andhefoundthatthegracewhichhehadtoiledtowinbyprayersandfasts，byalmsdeedsandself-abnegation，wasagift，"withoutmoneyandwithoutprice。"

OnceestablishedinthefaithofChrist，hiswholesoulburnedwiththedesiretospreadeverywhereaknowledgeofthegloriousgospelofGod’sfreegrace。"Ilookuponalltheworldasmyparish，"hesaid；"inwhateverpartofitIam，Ijudgeitmeet，right，andmyboundenduty，todeclareuntoallthatarewillingtohear，thegladtidingsofsalvation。"——Ibid。，page74。

Hecontinuedhisstrictandself-denyinglife，notnowastheground，buttheresultoffaith；nottheroot，butthefruitofholiness。ThegraceofGodinChrististhefoundationoftheChristian’shope，andthatgracewillbemanifestedinobedience。Wesley’slifewasdevotedtothepreachingofthegreattruthswhichhehadreceived——justificationthroughfaithintheatoningbloodofChrist，andtherenewingpoweroftheHolySpiritupontheheart，bringingforthfruitinalifeconformedtotheexampleofChrist。

WhitefieldandtheWesleyshadbeenpreparedfortheirworkbylongandsharppersonalconvictionsoftheirownlostcondition；andthattheymightbeabletoendurehardness257

asgoodsoldiersofChrist，theyhadbeensubjectedtothefieryordealofscorn，derision，andpersecution，bothintheuniversityandastheywereenteringtheministry。TheyandafewotherswhosympathizedwiththemwerecontemptuouslycalledMethodistsbytheirungodlyfellowstudents——anamewhichisatthepresenttimeregardedashonorablebyoneofthelargestdenominationsinEnglandandAmerica。

AsmembersoftheChurchofEnglandtheywerestronglyattachedtoherformsofworship，buttheLordhadpresentedbeforetheminHiswordahigherstandard。TheHolySpiriturgedthemtopreachChristandHimcrucified。ThepoweroftheHighestattendedtheirlabors。Thousandswereconvictedandtrulyconverted。Itwasnecessarythatthesesheepbeprotectedfromraveningwolves。Wesleyhadnothoughtofforminganewdenomination，butheorganizedthemunderwhatwascalledtheMethodistConnection。

Mysteriousandtryingwastheoppositionwhichthesepreachersencounteredfromtheestablishedchurch；yetGod，inHiswisdom，hadoverruledeventstocausethereformtobeginwithinthechurchitself。Haditcomewhollyfromwithout，itwouldnothavepenetratedwhereitwassomuchneeded。Butastherevivalpreacherswerechurchmen，andlaboredwithinthepaleofthechurchwherevertheycouldfindopportunity，thetruthhadanentrancewherethedoorswouldotherwisehaveremainedclosed。Someoftheclergywererousedfromtheirmoralstuporandbecamezealouspreachersintheirownparishes。Churchesthathadbeenpetrifiedbyformalismwerequickenedintolife。

InWesley’stime，asinallagesofthechurch’shistory，menofdifferentgiftsperformedtheirappointedwork。Theydidnotharmonizeuponeverypointofdoctrine，butallweremovedbytheSpiritofGod，andunitedintheabsorbingaimtowinsoulstoChrist。ThedifferencesbetweenWhitefieldandtheWesleysthreatenedatonetimetocreatealienation；

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butastheylearnedmeeknessintheschoolofChrist，mutualforbearanceandcharityreconciledthem。Theyhadnotimetodispute，whileerrorandiniquitywereteemingeverywhere，andsinnersweregoingdowntoruin。

TheservantsofGodtrodaruggedpath。Menofinfluenceandlearningemployedtheirpowersagainstthem。Afteratimemanyoftheclergymanifesteddeterminedhostility，andthedoorsofthechurcheswereclosedagainstapurefaithandthosewhoproclaimedit。Thecourseoftheclergyindenouncingthemfromthepulpitarousedtheelementsofdarkness，ignorance，andiniquity。AgainandagaindidJohnWesleyescapedeathbyamiracleofGod’smercy。Whentherageofthemobwasexcitedagainsthim，andthereseemednowayofescape，anangelinhumanformcametohisside，themobfellback，andtheservantofChristpassedinsafetyfromtheplaceofdanger。

Ofhisdeliverancefromtheenragedmobononeoftheseoccasions，Wesleysaid:"Manyendeavoredtothrowmedownwhileweweregoingdownhillonaslipperypathtothetown；aswelljudgingthatifIwasonceontheground，Ishouldhardlyriseanymore。ButImadenostumbleatall，northeleastslip，tillIwasentirelyoutoftheirhands……Althoughmanystrovetolayholdonmycollarorclothes，topullmedown，theycouldnotfastenatall:onlyonegotfastholdoftheflapofmywaistcoat，whichwassoonleftinhishand；theotherflap，inthepocketofwhichwasabanknote，wastornbuthalfoff……Alustymanjustbehind，struckatmeseveraltimes，withalargeoakenstick；withwhichifhehadstruckmeonceonthebackpartofmyhead，itwouldhavesavedhimallfurthertrouble。Buteverytime，theblowwasturnedaside，Iknownothow；forIcouldnotmovetotherighthandorleft……Anothercamerushingthroughthepress，andraisinghisarmtostrike，onasuddenletitdrop，andonlystrokedmyhead，saying，’Whatsofthairhehas！’……Theveryfirstmenwhoseheartswereturnedweretheheroesofthetown，thecaptainsoftherabbleonall259

occasions，oneofthemhavingbeenaprizefighteratthebeargardens……

"ByhowgentledegreesdoesGodprepareusforHiswill！Twoyearsago，apieceofbrickgrazedmyshoulders。Itwasayearafterthatthestonestruckmebetweentheeyes。LastmonthIreceivedoneblow，andthiseveningtwo，onebeforewecameintothetown，andoneafterweweregoneout；butbothwereasnothing:forthoughonemanstruckmeonthebreastwithallhismight，andtheotheronthemouthwithsuchforcethatthebloodgushedoutimmediately，Ifeltnomorepainfromeitheroftheblowsthaniftheyhadtouchedmewithastraw。"——JohnWesley，Works，vol。3，pp。297，298。

TheMethodistsofthoseearlydays——peopleaswellaspreachers——enduredridiculeandpersecution，alikefromchurchmembersandfromtheopenlyirreligiouswhowereinflamedbytheirmisrepresentations。Theywerearraignedbeforecourtsofjustice——suchonlyinname，forjusticewasrareinthecourtsofthattime。Oftentheysufferedviolencefromtheirpersecutors。Mobswentfromhousetohouse，destroyingfurnitureandgoods，plunderingwhatevertheychose，andbrutallyabusingmen，women，andchildren。Insomeinstances，publicnoticeswereposted，callinguponthosewhodesiredtoassistinbreakingthewindowsandrobbingthehousesoftheMethodists，toassembleatagiventimeandplace。Theseopenviolationsofbothhumananddivinelawwereallowedtopasswithoutareprimand。A

systematicpersecutionwascarriedonagainstapeoplewhoseonlyfaultwasthatofseekingtoturnthefeetofsinnersfromthepathofdestructiontothepathofholiness。

SaidJohnWesley，referringtothechargesagainsthimselfandhisassociates:"Someallegethatthedoctrinesofthesemenarefalse，erroneous，andenthusiastic；thattheyarenewandunheard-oftilloflate；

thattheyareQuakerism，fanaticism，popery。Thiswholepretensehasbeenalreadycutupbytheroots，ithavingbeenshownatlargethateverybranchofthisdoctrineistheplaindoctrineofScriptureinterpreted260

byourownchurch。Thereforeitcannotbeeitherfalseorerroneous，providedtheScripturebetrue。""Othersallege，"Theirdoctrineistoostrict；theymakethewaytoheaventoonarrow。’Andthisisintruththeoriginalobjection，(asitwasalmosttheonlyoneforsometime，)andissecretlyatthebottomofathousandmore，whichappearinvariousforms。

ButdotheymakethewaytoheavenanynarrowerthanourLordandHisapostlesmadeit？IstheirdoctrinestricterthanthatoftheBible？

Consideronlyafewplaintexts:’ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart，andwithallthymind，andwithallthysoul，andwithallthystrength。’’Foreveryidlewordwhichmenshallspeak，theyshallgiveanaccountinthedayofjudgment。’’Whetheryeeat，ordrink，orwhateveryedo，doalltothegloryofGod。’

"Iftheirdoctrineisstricterthanthis，theyaretoblame；butyouknowinyourconscienceitisnot。AndwhocanbeonejotlessstrictwithoutcorruptingthewordofGod？CananystewardofthemysteriesofGodbefoundfaithfulifhechangeanypartofthatsacreddepositum？No。Hecanabatenothing，hecansoftennothing；heisconstrainedtodeclaretoallmen，’I

maynotbringdowntheScripturetoyourtaste。Youmustcomeuptoit，orperishforever。’Thisistherealgroundofthatotherpopularcryconcerning’theuncharitablenessofthesemen。’Uncharitable，arethey？Inwhatrespect？Dotheynotfeedthehungryandclothethenaked？’No；thatisnotthething:theyarenotwantinginthis:buttheyaresouncharitableinjudging！theythinknonecanbesavedbutthoseoftheirownway。’"——Ibid。，vol。3，pp。152，153。

ThespiritualdeclensionwhichhadbeenmanifestinEnglandjustbeforethetimeofWesleywasingreatdegreetheresultofantinomianteaching。ManyaffirmedthatChristhadabolishedthemorallawandthatChristiansarethereforeundernoobligationtoobserveit；thatabelieverisfreedfromthe"bondageofgoodworks。"Others，thoughadmitting261

theperpetuityofthelaw，declaredthatitwasunnecessaryforministerstoexhortthepeopletoobedienceofitsprecepts，sincethosewhomGodhadelectedtosalvationwould，"bytheirresistibleimpulseofdivinegrace，beledtothepracticeofpietyandvirtue，"whilethosewhoweredoomedtoeternalreprobation"didnothavepowertoobeythedivinelaw。"

Others，alsoholdingthat"theelectcannotfallfromgracenorforfeitthedivinefavor，"arrivedatthestillmorehideousconclusionthat"thewickedactionstheycommitarenotreallysinful，nortobeconsideredasinstancesoftheirviolationofthedivinelaw，andthat，consequently，theyhavenooccasioneithertoconfesstheirsinsortobreakthemoffbyrepentance。"——McClintockandStrong，Cyclopedia，art。"Antinomians。"

Therefore，theydeclaredthatevenoneofthevilestofsins，"considereduniversallyanenormousviolationofthedivinelaw，isnotasininthesightofGod，"ifcommittedbyoneoftheelect，"becauseitisoneoftheessentialanddistinctivecharacteristicsoftheelect，thattheycannotdoanythingthatiseitherdispleasingtoGodorprohibitedbythelaw。"

Thesemonstrousdoctrinesareessentiallythesameasthelaterteachingofpopulareducatorsandtheologians——thatthereisnounchangeabledivinelawasthestandardofright，butthatthestandardofmoralityisindicatedbysocietyitself，andhasconstantlybeensubjecttochange。Alltheseideasareinspiredbythesamemasterspirit——byhimwho，evenamongthesinlessinhabitantsofheaven，beganhisworkofseekingtobreakdowntherighteousrestraintsofthelawofGod。

Thedoctrineofthedivinedecrees，unalterablyfixingthecharacterofmen，hadledmanytoavirtualrejectionofthelawofGod。WesleysteadfastlyopposedtheerrorsoftheantinomianteachersandshowedthatthisdoctrinewhichledtoantinomianismwascontrarytotheScriptures。"Thegrace262

ofGodthatbringethsalvationhathappearedtoallmen。""ThisisgoodandacceptableinthesightofGodourSaviour；whowillhaveallmentobesaved，andtocomeuntotheknowledgeofthetruth。ForthereisoneGod，andonemediatorbetweenGodandmen，themanChristJesus；whogaveHimselfaransomforall。"Titus2:11；1Timothy2:3-6。TheSpiritofGodisfreelybestowedtoenableeverymantolayholduponthemeansofsalvation。ThusChrist，"thetrueLight，""lightetheverymanthatcomethintotheworld。"

John1:9。Menfailofsalvationthroughtheirownwillfulrefusalofthegiftoflife。

InanswertotheclaimthatatthedeathofChristthepreceptsoftheDecaloguehadbeenabolishedwiththeceremoniallaw，Wesleysaid:"Themorallaw，containedintheTenCommandmentsandenforcedbytheprophets，Hedidnottakeaway。ItwasnotthedesignofHiscomingtorevokeanypartofthis。Thisisalawwhichnevercanbebroken，which’standsfastasthefaithfulwitnessinheaven。’……Thiswasfromthebeginningoftheworld，being’writtennotontablesofstone，’butontheheartsofallthechildrenofmen，whentheycameoutofthehandsoftheCreator。AndhoweverthelettersoncewrotebythefingerofGodarenowinagreatmeasuredefacedbysin，yetcantheynotwhollybeblottedout，whilewehaveanyconsciousnessofgoodandevil。Everypartofthislawmustremaininforceuponallmankind，andinallages；asnotdependingeitherontimeorplace，oranyothercircumstancesliabletochange，butonthenatureofGod，andthenatureofman，andtheirunchangeablerelationtoeachother。

"’Iamnotcometodestroy，buttofulfill。’……Withoutquestion，Hismeaninginthisplaceis(consistentlywithallthatgoesbeforeandfollowsafter)，——Iamcometoestablishitinitsfullness，inspiteofalltheglossesofmen:Iamcometoplaceinafullandclearviewwhatsoeverwasdarkorobscuretherein:Iamcometodeclarethetrueandfullimportofeverypartofit；toshowthelengthandbreadth，theentireextent，ofeverycommandmentcontainedtherein，andthe263

heightanddepth，theinconceivablepurityandspiritualityofitinallitsbranches。"——Wesley，sermon25。

Wesleydeclaredtheperfectharmonyofthelawandthegospel。"Thereis，therefore，theclosestconnectionthatcanbeconceived，betweenthelawandthegospel。Ontheonehand，thelawcontinuallymakeswayfor，andpointsusto，thegospel；ontheother，thegospelcontinuallyleadsustoamoreexactfulfillingofthelaw。Thelaw，forinstance，requiresustoloveGod，toloveourneighbor，tobemeek，humble，orholy。Wefeelthatwearenotsufficientforthesethings；yea，that’withmanthisisimpossible；’butweseeapromiseofGodtogiveusthatlove，andtomakeushumble，meek，andholy:welayholdofthisgospel，ofthesegladtidings；itisdoneuntousaccordingtoourfaith；and’therighteousnessofthelawisfulfilledinus，’throughfaithwhichisinChristJesus……

"InthehighestrankoftheenemiesofthegospelofChrist，"saidWesley，"aretheywhoopenlyandexplicitly’judgethelaw’itself，and’speakevilofthelaw；’whoteachmentobreak(todissolve，toloose，tountietheobligationof)notoneonly，whetheroftheleastorofthegreatest，butallthecommandmentsatastroke……Themostsurprisingofallthecircumstancesthatattendthisstrongdelusion，isthattheywhoaregivenuptoit，reallybelievethattheyhonorChristbyoverthrowingHislaw，andthattheyaremagnifyingHisofficewhiletheyaredestroyingHisdoctrine！

Yea，theyhonorHimjustasJudasdidwhenhesaid，’Hail，Master，andkissedHim。’AndHemayasjustlysaytoeveryoneofthem，’BetrayestthoutheSonofmanwithakiss？ItisnootherthanbetrayingHimwithakiss，totalkofHisblood，andtakeawayHiscrown；tosetlightbyanypartofHislaw，underpretenseofadvancingHisgospel。Norindeedcananyoneescapethischarge，whopreachesfaithinanysuchamanneraseitherdirectlyorindirectlytendstosetasideanybranchofobedience:whopreachesChristsoastodisannul，orweakeninanywise，theleastofthecommandmentsofGod。"——Ibid。