第8章

264

Tothosewhourgedthat"thepreachingofthegospelanswersalltheendsofthelaw，"Wesleyreplied:"Thisweutterlydeny。Itdoesnotanswertheveryfirstendofthelaw，namely，theconvincingmenofsin，theawakeningthosewhoarestillasleeponthebrinkofhell。"TheapostlePauldeclaresthat"bythelawistheknowledgeofsin；""andnotuntilmanisconvictedofsin，willhetrulyfeelhisneedoftheatoningbloodofChrist……’Theythatbewhole，’asourLordHimselfobserves，’neednotaphysician，buttheythataresick。’Itisabsurd，therefore，toofferaphysiciantothemthatarewhole，orthatatleastimaginethemselvessotobe。Youarefirsttoconvincethemthattheyaresick；otherwisetheywillnotthankyouforyourlabor。ItisequallyabsurdtoofferChristtothemwhoseheartiswhole，havingneveryetbeenbroken。"——Ibid。，sermon35。

ThuswhilepreachingthegospelofthegraceofGod，Wesley，likehisMaster，soughtto"magnifythelaw，andmakeithonorable。"FaithfullydidheaccomplishtheworkgivenhimofGod，andgloriousweretheresultswhichhewaspermittedtobehold。Atthecloseofhislonglifeofmorethanfourscoreyears——abovehalfacenturyspentinitinerantministry——hisavowedadherentsnumberedmorethanhalfamillionsouls。Butthemultitudethatthroughhislaborshadbeenliftedfromtheruinanddegradationofsintoahigherandapurerlife，andthenumberwhobyhisteachinghadattainedtoadeeperandricherexperience，willneverbeknowntillthewholefamilyoftheredeemedshallbegatheredintothekingdomofGod。HislifepresentsalessonofpricelessworthtoeveryChristian。Wouldthatthefaithandhumility，theuntiringzeal，self-sacrifice，anddevotionofthisservantofChristmightbereflectedinthechurchesoftoday！

(265)

Chapter15

TheBibleandtheFrenchRevolutionInthesixteenthcenturytheReformation，presentinganopenBibletothepeople，hadsoughtadmissiontoallthecountriesofEurope。Somenationswelcomeditwithgladness，asamessengerofHeaven。Inotherlandsthepapacysucceededtoagreatextentinpreventingitsentrance；andthelightofBibleknowledge，withitselevatinginfluences，wasalmostwhollyexcluded。Inonecountry，thoughthelightfoundentrance，itwasnotcomprehendedbythedarkness。Forcenturies，truthanderrorstruggledforthemastery。Atlasttheeviltriumphed，andthetruthofHeavenwasthrustout。"Thisisthecondemnation，thatlightiscomeintotheworld，andmenloveddarknessratherthanlight。"John3:19。Thenationwaslefttoreaptheresultsofthecoursewhichshehadchosen。TherestraintofGod’sSpiritwasremovedfromapeoplethathaddespisedthegiftofHisgrace。

Evilwaspermittedtocometomaturity。Andalltheworldsawthefruitofwillfulrejectionofthelight。

ThewaragainsttheBible，carriedforwardforsomanycenturiesinFrance，culminatedinthescenesoftheRevolution。ThatterribleoutbreakingwasbutthelegitimateresultofRome’ssuppressionoftheScriptures。(SeeAppendix。)Itpresentedthemoststrikingillustrationwhichtheworldhaseverwitnessedoftheworkingoutofthepapalpolicy——anillustrationoftheresultstowhichformorethanathousand266

yearstheteachingoftheRomanChurchhadbeentending。

ThesuppressionoftheScripturesduringtheperiodofpapalsupremacywasforetoldbytheprophets；andtheRevelatorpointsalsototheterribleresultsthatweretoaccrueespeciallytoFrancefromthedominationofthe"manofsin。"

SaidtheangeloftheLord:"Theholycityshalltheytreadunderfootfortyandtwomonths。AndIwillgivepoweruntoMytwowitnesses，andtheyshallprophesyathousandtwohundredandthreescoredays，clothedinsackcloth……Andwhentheyshallhavefinishedtheirtestimony，thebeastthatascendethoutofthebottomlesspitshallmakewaragainstthem，andshallovercomethem，andkillthem。Andtheirdeadbodiesshalllieinthestreetofthegreatcity，whichspirituallyiscalledSodomandEgypt，wherealsoourLordwascrucified……Andtheythatdwellupontheearthshallrejoiceoverthem，andmakemerry，andshallsendgiftsonetoanother；

becausethesetwoprophetstormentedthemthatdweltontheearth。AndafterthreedaysandahalftheSpiritoflifefromGodenteredintothem，andtheystoodupontheirfeet；andgreatfearfelluponthemwhichsawthem。"

Revelation11:2-11。

Theperiodsherementioned——"fortyandtwomonths，"and"athousandtwohundredandthreescoredays"——arethesame，alikerepresentingthetimeinwhichthechurchofChristwastosufferoppressionfromRome。The1260

yearsofpapalsupremacybeganinA。D。538，andwouldthereforeterminatein1798。(SeeAppendixnoteforpage54。)AtthattimeaFrencharmyenteredRomeandmadethepopeaprisoner，andhediedinexile。Thoughanewpopewassoonafterwardelected，thepapalhierarchyhasneversincebeenabletowieldthepowerwhichitbeforepossessed。

Thepersecutionofthechurchdidnotcontinuethroughouttheentireperiodofthe1260years。GodinmercytoHispeoplecutshortthetimeoftheirfierytrial。Inforetellingthe267

"greattribulation"tobefallthechurch，theSavioursaid:"Exceptthosedaysshouldbeshortened，thereshouldnofleshbesaved:butfortheelect’ssakethosedaysshallbeshortened。"Matthew24:22。ThroughtheinfluenceoftheReformationthepersecutionwasbroughttoanendpriorto1798。

Concerningthetwowitnessestheprophetdeclaresfurther:"Thesearethetwoolivetrees，andthetwocandlesticksstandingbeforetheGodoftheearth。""Thyword，"saidthepsalmist，"isalampuntomyfeet，andalightuntomypath。"Revelation11:4；Psalm119:105。ThetwowitnessesrepresenttheScripturesoftheOldandtheNewTestament。BothareimportanttestimoniestotheoriginandperpetuityofthelawofGod。Botharewitnessesalsototheplanofsalvation。Thetypes，sacrifices，andpropheciesoftheOldTestamentpointforwardtoaSaviourtocome。TheGospelsandEpistlesoftheNewTestamenttellofaSaviourwhohascomeintheexactmannerforetoldbytypeandprophecy。

"Theyshallprophecyathousandtwohundredandthree-scoredays，clothedinsackcloth。"Duringthegreaterpartofthisperiod，God’switnessesremainedinastateofobscurity。Thepapalpowersoughttohidefromthepeoplethewordoftruth，andsetbeforethemfalsewitnessestocontradictitstestimony。(SeeAppendix。)WhentheBiblewasproscribedbyreligiousandsecularauthority；whenitstestimonywasperverted，andeveryeffortmadethatmenanddemonscouldinventtoturnthemindsofthepeoplefromit；

whenthosewhodaredproclaimitssacredtruthswerehunted，betrayed，tortured，buriedindungeoncells，martyredfortheirfaith，orcompelledtofleetomountainfastnesses，andtodensandcavesoftheearth——thenthefaithfulwitnessesprophesiedinsackcloth。Yettheycontinuedtheirtestimonythroughouttheentireperiodof1260years。InthedarkesttimestherewerefaithfulmenwholovedGod’swordandwerejealousforHishonor。

Totheseloyalservantswere268

givenwisdom，power，andauthoritytodeclareHistruthduringthewholeofthistime。

"Andifanymanwillhurtthem，fireproceedethoutoftheirmouth，anddevoureththeirenemies:andifanymanwillhurtthem，hemustinthismannerbekilled。"Revelation11:5。MencannotwithimpunitytrampleuponthewordofGod。ThemeaningofthisfearfuldenunciationissetforthintheclosingchapteroftheRevelation:"Itestifyuntoeverymanthatheareththewordsoftheprophecyofthisbook，Ifanymanshalladduntothesethings，Godshalladduntohimtheplaguesthatarewritteninthisbook:andifanymanshalltakeawayfromthewordsofthebookofthisprophecy，Godshalltakeawayhispartoutofthebookoflife，andoutoftheholycity，andfromthethingswhicharewritteninthisbook。"

Revelation22:18，19。

SucharethewarningswhichGodhasgiventoguardmenagainstchanginginanymannerthatwhichHehasrevealedorcommanded。ThesesolemndenunciationsapplytoallwhobytheirinfluenceleadmentoregardlightlythelawofGod。TheyshouldcausethosetofearandtremblewhoflippantlydeclareitamatteroflittleconsequencewhetherweobeyGod’slawornot。

Allwhoexalttheirownopinionsabovedivinerevelation，allwhowouldchangetheplainmeaningofScripturetosuittheirownconvenience，orforthesakeofconformingtotheworld，aretakinguponthemselvesafearfulresponsibility。Thewrittenword，thelawofGod，willmeasurethecharacterofeverymanandcondemnallwhomthisunerringtestshalldeclarewanting。

"Whentheyshallhavefinished[arefinishing]theirtestimony。"Theperiodwhenthetwowitnessesweretoprophesyclothedinsackcloth，endedin1798。

Astheywereapproachingtheterminationoftheirworkinobscurity，warwastobemadeuponthembythepowerrepresentedas"thebeastthatascendethoutofthebottomlesspit。"InmanyofthenationsofEuropethepowersthatruledinchurchandstatehadforcenturiesbeencontrolledbySatanthroughthe269

mediumofthepapacy。Buthereisbroughttoviewanewmanifestationofsatanicpower。

IthadbeenRome’spolicy，underaprofessionofreverencefortheBible，tokeepitlockedupinanunknowntongueandhiddenawayfromthepeople。

Underherrulethewitnessesprophesied"clothedinsackcloth。"Butanotherpower——thebeastfromthebottomlesspit——wastoarisetomakeopen，avowedwaruponthewordofGod。

"Thegreatcity"inwhosestreetsthewitnessesareslain，andwheretheirdeadbodieslie，is"spiritually"Egypt。OfallnationspresentedinBiblehistory，EgyptmostboldlydeniedtheexistenceofthelivingGodandresistedHiscommands。NomonarcheverventureduponmoreopenandhighhandedrebellionagainsttheauthorityofHeaventhandidthekingofEgypt。WhenthemessagewasbroughthimbyMoses，inthenameoftheLord，Pharaohproudlyanswered:"WhoisJehovah，thatIshouldhearkenuntoHisvoicetoletIsraelgo？IknownotJehovah，andmoreoverIwillnotletIsraelgo。"Exodus5:2，A。R。V。Thisisatheism，andthenationrepresentedbyEgyptwouldgivevoicetoasimilardenialoftheclaimsofthelivingGodandwouldmanifestalikespiritofunbeliefanddefiance。"Thegreatcity"isalsocompared，"spiritually，"toSodom。ThecorruptionofSodominbreakingthelawofGodwasespeciallymanifestedinlicentiousness。Andthissinwasalsotobeapre-eminentcharacteristicofthenationthatshouldfulfillthespecificationsofthisscripture。

Accordingtothewordsoftheprophet，then，alittlebeforetheyear1798

somepowerofsatanicoriginandcharacterwouldrisetomakewarupontheBible。AndinthelandwherethetestimonyofGod’stwowitnessesshouldthusbesilenced，therewouldbemanifesttheatheismofthePharaohandthelicentiousnessofSodom。

ThisprophecyhasreceivedamostexactandstrikingfulfillmentinthehistoryofFrance。DuringtheRevolution，in1793，"theworldforthefirsttimeheardanassemblyofmen，270

bornandeducatedincivilization，andassumingtherighttogovernoneofthefinestoftheEuropeannations，uplifttheirunitedvoicetodenythemostsolemntruthwhichman’ssoulreceives，andrenounceunanimouslythebeliefandworshipofaDeity。"——SirWalterScott，LifeofNapoleon，vol。1，ch。

17。"Franceistheonlynationintheworldconcerningwhichtheauthenticrecordsurvives，thatasanationsheliftedherhandinopenrebellionagainsttheAuthoroftheuniverse。Plentyofblasphemers，plentyofinfidels，therehavebeen，andstillcontinuetobe，inEngland，Germany，Spain，andelsewhere；butFrancestandsapartintheworld’shistoryasthesinglestatewhich，bythedecreeofherLegislativeAssembly，pronouncedthattherewasnoGod，andofwhichtheentirepopulationofthecapital，andavastmajorityelsewhere，womenaswellasmen，dancedandsangwithjoyinacceptingtheannouncement。"——Blackwood’sMagazine，November，1870。

FrancepresentedalsothecharacteristicswhichespeciallydistinguishedSodom。DuringtheRevolutiontherewasmanifestastateofmoraldebasementandcorruptionsimilartothatwhichbroughtdestructionuponthecitiesoftheplain。AndthehistorianpresentstogethertheatheismandthelicentiousnessofFrance，asgivenintheprophecy:"Intimatelyconnectedwiththeselawsaffectingreligion，wasthatwhichreducedtheunionofmarriage——themostsacredengagementwhichhumanbeingscanform，andthepermanenceofwhichleadsmoststronglytotheconsolidationofsociety——tothestateofamerecivilcontractofatransitorycharacter，whichanytwopersonsmightengageinandcastlooseatpleasure……Iffiendshadsetthemselvestoworktodiscoveramodeofmosteffectuallydestroyingwhateverisvenerable，graceful，orpermanentindomesticlife，andofobtainingatthesametimeanassurancethatthemischiefwhichitwastheirobjecttocreateshouldbeperpetuatedfromonegenerationtoanother，theycouldnothaveinventedamoreeffectualplanthatthedegradationofmarriage……SophieArnoult，an271

actressfamousforthewittythingsshesaid，describedtherepublicanmarriageas’thesacramentofadultery。’"——Scott，vol。1，ch。17。

"WherealsoourLordwascrucified。"ThisspecificationoftheprophecywasalsofulfilledbyFrance。InnolandhadthespiritofenmityagainstChristbeenmorestrikinglydisplayed。Innocountryhadthetruthencounteredmorebitterandcruelopposition。InthepersecutionwhichFrancehadvisitedupontheconfessorsofthegospel，shehadcrucifiedChristinthepersonofHisdisciples。

Centuryaftercenturythebloodofthesaintshadbeenshed。WhiletheWaldenseslaiddowntheirlivesuponthemountainsofPiedmont"forthewordofGod，andforthetestimonyofJesusChrist，"similarwitnesstothetruthhadbeenbornebytheirbrethren，theAlbigensesofFrance。InthedaysoftheReformationitsdiscipleshadbeenputtodeathwithhorribletortures。

Kingandnobles，highbornwomenanddelicatemaidens，theprideandchivalryofthenation，hadfeastedtheireyesupontheagoniesofthemartyrsofJesus。ThebraveHuguenots，battlingforthoserightswhichthehumanheartholdsmostsacred，hadpouredouttheirbloodonmanyahard-foughtfield。

TheProtestantswerecountedasoutlaws，apricewassetupontheirheads，andtheywerehunteddownlikewildbeasts。

The"ChurchintheDesert，"thefewdescendantsoftheancientChristiansthatstilllingeredinFranceintheeighteenthcentury，hidingawayinthemountainsofthesouth，stillcherishedthefaithoftheirfathers。Astheyventuredtomeetbynightonmountainsideorlonelymoor，theywerechasedbydragoonsanddraggedawaytolifelongslaveryinthegalleys。Thepurest，themostrefined，andthemostintelligentoftheFrenchwerechained，inhorribletorture，amidstrobbersandassassins。(SeeWylie，b。22，ch。

6。)Others，moremercifullydealtwith，wereshotdownincoldblood，as，unarmedandhelpless，theyfellupontheir272

kneesinprayer。Hundredsofagedmen，defenselesswomen，andinnocentchildrenwereleftdeadupontheearthattheirplaceofmeeting。Intraversingthemountainsideortheforest，wheretheyhadbeenaccustomedtoassemble，itwasnotunusualtofind"ateveryfourpaces，deadbodiesdottingthesward，andcorpseshangingsuspendedfromthetrees。"Theircountry，laidwastewiththesword，theax，thefagot，"wasconvertedintoonevast，gloomywilderness。""Theseatrocitieswereenacted……innodarkage，butinthebrillianteraofLouisXIV。Sciencewasthencultivated，lettersflourished，thedivinesofthecourtandofthecapitalwerelearnedandeloquentmen，andgreatlyaffectedthegracesofmeeknessandcharity。"——Ibid。，b。22，ch。7。

Butblackestintheblackcatalogueofcrime，mosthorribleamongthefiendishdeedsofallthedreadfulcenturies，wastheSt。BartholomewMassacre。Theworldstillrecallswithshudderinghorrorthescenesofthatmostcowardlyandcruelonslaught。ThekingofFrance，urgedonbyRomishpriestsandprelates，lenthissanctiontothedreadfulwork。Abell，tollingatdeadofnight，wasasignalfortheslaughter。Protestantsbythousands，sleepingquietlyintheirhomes，trustingtotheplightedhonoroftheirking，weredraggedforthwithoutawarningandmurderedincoldblood。

AsChristwastheinvisibleleaderofHispeoplefromEgyptianbondage，sowasSatantheunseenleaderofhissubjectsinthishorribleworkofmultiplyingmartyrs。ForsevendaysthemassacrewascontinuedinParis，thefirstthreewithinconceivablefury。Anditwasnotconfinedtothecityitself，butbyspecialorderofthekingwasextendedtoalltheprovincesandtownswhereProtestantswerefound。Neitheragenorsexwasrespected。

Neithertheinnocentbabenorthemanofgrayhairswasspared。Nobleandpeasant，oldandyoung，motherandchild，werecutdowntogether。ThroughoutFrancethebutcherycontinuedfortwomonths。Seventythousandoftheveryflowerofthenationperished。

"WhenthenewsofthemassacrereachedRome，the273

exultationamongtheclergyknewnobounds。ThecardinalofLorrainerewardedthemessengerwithathousandcrowns；thecannonofSt。Angelothunderedforthajoyoussalute；andbellsrangoutfromeverysteeple；

bonfiresturnednightintoday；andGregoryXIII，attendedbythecardinalsandotherecclesiasticaldignitaries，wentinlongprocessiontothechurchofSt。Louis，wherethecardinalofLorrainechantedaTeDeum……A

medalwasstrucktocommemoratethemassacre，andintheVaticanmaystillbeseenthreefrescoesofVasari，describingtheattackupontheadmiral，thekingincouncilplottingthemassacre，andthemassacreitself。GregorysentCharlestheGoldenRose；andfourmonthsafterthemassacre，……helistenedcomplacentlytothesermonofaFrenchpriest，……whospokeof’thatdaysofullofhappinessandjoy，whenthemostholyfatherreceivedthenews，andwentinsolemnstatetorenderthankstoGodandSt。

Louis。’"——HenryWhite，TheMassacreofSt。Bartholomew，ch。14，par。34。

ThesamemasterspiritthaturgedontheSt。BartholomewMassacreledalsointhescenesoftheRevolution。JesusChristwasdeclaredtobeanimpostor，andtherallyingcryoftheFrenchinfidelswas，"CrushtheWretch，"meaningChrist。Heaven-daringblasphemyandabominablewickednesswenthandinhand，andthebasestofmen，themostabandonedmonstersofcrueltyandvice，weremosthighlyexalted。Inallthis，supremehomagewaspaidtoSatan；whileChrist，inHischaracteristicsoftruth，purity，andunselfishlove，wascrucified。

"Thebeastthatascendethoutofthebottomlesspitshallmakewaragainstthem，andshallovercomethem，andkillthem。"TheatheisticalpowerthatruledinFranceduringtheRevolutionandtheReignofTerror，didwagesuchawaragainstGodandHisholywordastheworldhadneverwitnessed。TheworshipoftheDeitywasabolishedbytheNationalAssembly。Bibleswerecollectedandpubliclyburnedwitheverypossiblemanifestationofscorn。

ThelawofGod274

wastrampledunderfoot。TheinstitutionsoftheBiblewereabolished。Theweeklyrestdaywassetaside，andinitssteadeverytenthdaywasdevotedtorevelingandblasphemy。BaptismandtheCommunionwereprohibited。Andannouncementspostedconspicuouslyovertheburialplacesdeclareddeathtobeaneternalsleep。

ThefearofGodwassaidtobesofarfromthebeginningofwisdomthatitwasthebeginningoffolly。Allreligiousworshipwasprohibited，exceptthatoflibertyandthecountry。The"constitutionalbishopofPariswasbroughtforwardtoplaytheprincipalpartinthemostimpudentandscandalousfarceeveractedinthefaceofanationalrepresentation……

Hewasbroughtforwardinfullprocession，todeclaretotheConventionthatthereligionwhichhehadtaughtsomanyyearswas，ineveryrespect，apieceofpriestcraft，whichhadnofoundationeitherinhistoryorsacredtruth。Hedisowned，insolemnandexplicitterms，theexistenceoftheDeitytowhoseworshiphehadbeenconsecrated，anddevotedhimselfinfuturetothehomageofliberty，equality，virtue，andmorality。Hethenlaidonthetablehisepiscopaldecorations，andreceivedafraternalembracefromthepresidentoftheConvention。Severalapostatepriestsfollowedtheexampleofthisprelate。"——Scott，vol。1，ch。17。

"Andtheythatdwellupontheearthshallrejoiceoverthem，andmakemerry，andshallsendgiftsonetoanother；becausethesetwoprophetstormentedthemthatdweltontheearth。"InfidelFrancehadsilencedthereprovingvoiceofGod’stwowitnesses。Thewordoftruthlaydeadinherstreets，andthosewhohatedtherestrictionsandrequirementsofGod’slawwerejubilant。MenpubliclydefiedtheKingofheaven。Likethesinnersofold，theycried:"HowdothGodknow？andisthereknowledgeintheMostHigh？"

Psalm73:11。

Withblasphemousboldnessalmostbeyondbelief，oneofthepriestsofthenewordersaid:"God，ifYouexist，avengeYourinjuredname。IbidYoudefiance！Youremainsilent；YoudarenotlaunchYourthunders。Whoafterthiswill275

believeinYourexistence？"——Lacretelle，History，vol。11，p。

309；inSirArchibaldAlison，HistoryofEurope，vol。1，ch。10。WhatanechoisthisofthePharaoh’sdemand:"WhoisJehovah，thatIshouldobeyHisvoice？""IknownotJehovah！"

"Thefoolhathsaidinhisheart，ThereisnoGod。"Psalm14:1。AndtheLorddeclaresconcerningthepervertersofthetruth:"Theirfollyshallbemanifestuntoall。"2Timothy3:9。AfterFrancehadrenouncedtheworshipofthelivingGod，"thehighandloftyOnethatinhabitetheternity，"itwasonlyalittletimetillshedescendedtodegradingidolatry，bytheworshipoftheGoddessofReason，inthepersonofaprofligatewoman。Andthisintherepresentativeassemblyofthenation，andbyitshighestcivilandlegislativeauthorities！Saysthehistorian:"Oneoftheceremoniesofthisinsanetimestandsunrivaledforabsurditycombinedwithimpiety。ThedoorsoftheConventionwerethrownopentoabandofmusicians，precededbywhom，themembersofthemunicipalbodyenteredinsolemnprocession，singingahymninpraiseofliberty，andescorting，astheobjectoftheirfutureworship，aveiledfemale，whomtheytermedtheGoddessofReason。Beingbroughtwithinthebar，shewasunveiledwithgreatform，andplacedontherightofthepresident，whenshewasgenerallyrecognizedasadancinggirloftheopera……Tothisperson，asthefittestrepresentativeofthatreasonwhomtheyworshiped，theNationalConventionofFrancerenderedpublichomage。

"Thisimpiousandridiculousmummeryhadacertainfashion；andtheinstallationoftheGoddessofReasonwasrenewedandimitatedthroughoutthenation，insuchplaceswheretheinhabitantsdesiredtoshowthemselvesequaltoalltheheightsoftheRevolution。"——Scott，vol。1，ch。17。

SaidtheoratorwhointroducedtheworshipofReason:"Legislators！

Fanaticismhasgivenwaytoreason。Itsblearedeyescouldnotendurethebrilliancyofthelight。Thisdayanimmenseconcoursehasassembledbeneaththosegothicvaults，which，forthefirsttime，re-echoedthetruth。There276

theFrenchhavecelebratedtheonlytrueworship，——thatofLiberty，thatofReason。TherewehaveformedwishesfortheprosperityofthearmsoftheRepublic。TherewehaveabandonedinanimateidolsforReason，forthatanimatedimage，themasterpieceofnature。"——M。A。Thiers，HistoryoftheFrenchRevolution，vol。2，pp。370，371。

WhenthegoddesswasbroughtintotheConvention，theoratortookherbythehand，andturningtotheassemblysaid:"Mortals，ceasetotremblebeforethepowerlessthundersofaGodwhomyourfearshavecreated。HenceforthacknowledgenodivinitybutReason。Iofferyouitsnoblestandpurestimage；ifyoumusthaveidols，sacrificeonlytosuchasthis……FallbeforetheaugustSenateofFreedom，oh！VeilofReason！"

"Thegoddess，afterbeingembracedbythepresident，wasmountedonamagnificentcar，andconducted，amidanimmensecrowd，tothecathedralofNotreDame，totaketheplaceoftheDeity。Thereshewaselevatedonthehighaltar，andreceivedtheadorationofallpresent。"——Alison，vol。1，ch。

10。

Thiswasfollowed，notlongafterward，bythepublicburningoftheBible。

Ononeoccasion"thePopularSocietyoftheMuseum"enteredthehallofthemunicipality，exclaiming，"VivelaRaison！"andcarryingonthetopofapolethehalf-burnedremainsofseveralbooks，amongothersbreviaries，missals，andtheOldandNewTestaments，which"expiatedinagreatfire，"

saidthepresident，"allthefoolerieswhichtheyhavemadethehumanracecommit。"——JournalofParis，1793，No。318。QuotedinBuchez-Roux，CollectionofParliamentaryHistory，vol。30，pp。200，201。

Itwaspoperythathadbeguntheworkwhichatheismwascompleting。ThepolicyofRomehadwroughtoutthoseconditions，social，political，andreligious，thatwerehurryingFranceontoruin。Writers，inreferringtothehorrorsoftheRevolution，saythattheseexcessesaretobechargeduponthethroneandthechurch。(SeeAppendix。)Instrictjusticetheyaretobechargeduponthechurch。Poperyhadpoisonedthe277

mindsofkingsagainsttheReformation，asanenemytothecrown，anelementofdiscordthatwouldbefataltothepeaceandharmonyofthenation。ItwasthegeniusofRomethatbythismeansinspiredthedirestcrueltyandthemostgallingoppressionwhichproceededfromthethrone。

ThespiritoflibertywentwiththeBible。Whereverthegospelwasreceived，themindsofthepeoplewereawakened。Theybegantocastofftheshacklesthathadheldthembondslavesofignorance，vice，andsuperstition。Theybegantothinkandactasmen。Monarchssawitandtrembledfortheirdespotism。

Romewasnotslowtoinflametheirjealousfears。SaidthepopetotheregentofFrancein1525:"Thismania[Protestantism]willnotonlyconfoundanddestroyreligion，butallprincipalities，nobility，laws，orders，andranksbesides。"——G。deFelice，HistoryoftheProtestantsofFrance，b。1，ch。2，par。8。Afewyearslaterapapalnunciowarnedtheking:"Sire，benotdeceived。TheProtestantswillupsetallcivilaswellasreligiousorder……Thethroneisinasmuchdangerasthealtar……Theintroductionofanewreligionmustnecessarilyintroduceanewgovernment。"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。2，ch。36。AndtheologiansappealedtotheprejudicesofthepeoplebydeclaringthattheProtestantdoctrine"enticesmenawaytonoveltiesandfolly；itrobsthekingofthedevotedaffectionofhissubjects，anddevastatesbothchurchandstate。"ThusRomesucceededinarrayingFranceagainsttheReformation。"Itwastoupholdthethrone，preservethenobles，andmaintainthelaws，thattheswordofpersecutionwasfirstunsheathedinFrance。"——Wylie，b。13，ch。4。

Littledidtherulersofthelandforeseetheresultsofthatfatefulpolicy。TheteachingoftheBiblewouldhaveimplantedinthemindsandheartsofthepeoplethoseprinciplesofjustice，temperance，truth，equity，andbenevolencewhicharetheverycornerstoneofanation’sprosperity。

"Righteousnessexaltethanation。"Thereby"thethroneisestablished。"

278

Proverbs14:34；16:12。"Theworkofrighteousnessshallbepeace；"andtheeffect，"quietnessandassuranceforever。"Isaiah32:17。Hewhoobeysthedivinelawwillmosttrulyrespectandobeythelawsofhiscountry。HewhofearsGodwillhonorthekingintheexerciseofalljustandlegitimateauthority。ButunhappyFranceprohibitedtheBibleandbanneditsdisciples。

Centuryaftercentury，menofprincipleandintegrity，menofintellectualacutenessandmoralstrength，whohadthecouragetoavowtheirconvictionsandthefaithtosufferforthetruth——forcenturiesthesementoiledasslavesinthegalleys，perishedatthestake，orrottedindungeoncells。

Thousandsuponthousandsfoundsafetyinflight；andthiscontinuedfortwohundredandfiftyyearsaftertheopeningoftheReformation。

"ScarcelywasthereagenerationofFrenchmenduringthelongperiodthatdidnotwitnessthedisciplesofthegospelfleeingbeforetheinsanefuryofthepersecutor，andcarryingwiththemtheintelligence，thearts，theindustry，theorder，inwhich，asarule，theypre-eminentlyexcelled，toenrichthelandsinwhichtheyfoundanasylum。Andinproportionastheyreplenishedothercountrieswiththesegoodgifts，didtheyemptytheirownofthem。IfallthatwasnowdrivenawayhadbeenretainedinFrance；if，duringthesethreehundredyears，theindustrialskilloftheexileshadbeencultivatinghersoil；if，duringthesethreehundredyears，theirartisticbenthadbeenimprovinghermanufactures；if，duringthesethreehundredyears，theircreativegeniusandanalyticpowerhadbeenenrichingherliteratureandcultivatingherscience；iftheirwisdomhadbeenguidinghercouncils，theirbraveryfightingherbattles，theirequityframingherlaws，andthereligionoftheBiblestrengtheningtheintellectandgoverningtheconscienceofherpeople，whataglorywouldatthisdayhaveencompassedFrance！Whatagreat，prosperous，andhappycountry——apatterntothenations——wouldshehavebeen！

279

"Butablindandinexorablebigotrychasedfromhersoileveryteacherofvirtue，everychampionoforder，everyhonestdefenderofthethrone；itsaidtothemenwhowouldhavemadetheircountrya’renownandglory’intheearth，Choosewhichyouwillhave，astakeorexile。Atlasttheruinofthestatewascomplete；thereremainednomoreconsciencetobeproscribed；

nomorereligiontobedraggedtothestake；nomorepatriotismtobechasedintobanishment。"——Wylie，b。13，ch。20。AndtheRevolution，withallitshorrors，wasthedireresult。

"WiththeflightoftheHuguenotsageneraldeclinesettleduponFrance。

Flourishingmanufacturingcitiesfellintodecay；fertiledistrictsreturnedtotheirnativewildness；intellectualdullnessandmoraldeclensionsucceededaperiodofunwontedprogress。Parisbecameonevastalmshouse，anditisestimatedthat，atthebreakingoutoftheRevolution，twohundredthousandpaupersclaimedcharityfromthehandsoftheking。TheJesuitsaloneflourishedinthedecayingnation，andruledwithdreadfultyrannyoverchurchesandschools，theprisonsandthegalleys。"

ThegospelwouldhavebroughttoFrancethesolutionofthosepoliticalandsocialproblemsthatbaffledtheskillofherclergy，herking，andherlegislators，andfinallyplungedthenationintoanarchyandruin。ButunderthedominationofRomethepeoplehadlosttheSaviour’sblessedlessonsofself-sacrificeandunselfishlove。Theyhadbeenledawayfromthepracticeofself-denialforthegoodofothers。Therichhadfoundnorebukefortheiroppressionofthepoor，thepoornohelpfortheirservitudeanddegradation。Theselfishnessofthewealthyandpowerfulgrewmoreandmoreapparentandoppressive。Forcenturiesthegreedandprofligacyofthenobleresultedingrindingextortiontowardthepeasant。Therichwrongedthepoor，andthepoorhatedtherich。

Inmanyprovincestheestateswereheldbythenobles，andthelaboringclasseswereonlytenants；theywereatthemercy280

oftheirlandlordsandwereforcedtosubmittotheirexorbitantdemands。

Theburdenofsupportingboththechurchandthestatefelluponthemiddleandlowerclasses，whowereheavilytaxedbythecivilauthoritiesandbytheclergy。"Thepleasureofthenobleswasconsideredthesupremelaw；thefarmersandthepeasantsmightstarve，foraughttheiroppressorscared……Thepeoplewerecompelledateveryturntoconsulttheexclusiveinterestofthelandlord。Thelivesoftheagriculturallaborerswerelivesofincessantworkandunrelievedmisery；theircomplaints，iftheyeverdaredtocomplain，weretreatedwithinsolentcontempt。Thecourtsofjusticewouldalwayslistentoanobleasagainstapeasant；bribeswerenotoriouslyacceptedbythejudges；andthemerestcapriceofthearistocracyhadtheforceoflaw，byvirtueofthissystemofuniversalcorruption。Ofthetaxeswrungfromthecommonalty，bythesecularmagnatesontheonehand，andtheclergyontheother，nothalfeverfounditswayintotheroyalorepiscopaltreasury；therestwassquanderedinprofligateself-indulgence。Andthemenwhothusimpoverishedtheirfellowsubjectswerethemselvesexemptfromtaxation，andentitledbylaworcustomtoalltheappointmentsofthestate。Theprivilegedclassesnumberedahundredandfiftythousand，andfortheirgratificationmillionswerecondemnedtohopelessanddegradinglives。"(SeeAppendix。)

Thecourtwasgivenuptoluxuryandprofligacy。Therewaslittleconfidenceexistingbetweenthepeopleandtherulers。Suspicionfasteneduponallthemeasuresofthegovernmentasdesigningandselfish。FormorethanhalfacenturybeforethetimeoftheRevolutionthethronewasoccupiedbyLouisXV，who，eveninthoseeviltimes，wasdistinguishedasanindolent，frivolous，andsensualmonarch。Withadepravedandcruelaristocracyandanimpoverishedandignorantlowerclass，thestatefinanciallyembarrassedandthepeopleexasperated，itneedednoprophet’seyetoforeseeaterribleimpendingoutbreak。Tothewarningsofhiscounselorsthekingwasaccustomedtoreply:"Tryto281

makethingsgoonaslongasIamlikelytolive；aftermydeathitmaybeasitwill。"Itwasinvainthatthenecessityofreformwasurged。Hesawtheevils，buthadneitherthecouragenorthepowertomeetthem。ThedoomawaitingFrancewasbuttootrulypicturedinhisindolentandselfishanswer，"Afterme，thedeluge！"

Byworkinguponthejealousyofthekingsandtherulingclasses，Romehadinfluencedthemtokeepthepeopleinbondage，wellknowingthatthestatewouldthusbeweakened，andpurposingbythismeanstofastenbothrulersandpeopleinherthrall。Withfarsightedpolicysheperceivedthatinordertoenslavemeneffectually，theshacklesmustbeboundupontheirsouls；

thatthesurestwaytopreventthemfromescapingtheirbondagewastorenderthemincapableoffreedom。Athousandfoldmoreterriblethanthephysicalsufferingwhichresultedfromherpolicy，wasthemoraldegradation。DeprivedoftheBible，andabandonedtotheteachingsofbigotryandselfishness，thepeoplewereshroudedinignoranceandsuperstition，andsunkeninvice，sothattheywerewhollyunfittedforself-government。

ButtheoutworkingofallthiswaswidelydifferentfromwhatRomehadpurposed。Insteadofholdingthemassesinablindsubmissiontoherdogmas，herworkresultedinmakingtheminfidelsandrevolutionists。Romanismtheydespisedaspriestcraft。Theybeheldtheclergyasapartytotheiroppression。TheonlygodtheyknewwasthegodofRome；herteachingwastheironlyreligion。TheyregardedhergreedandcrueltyasthelegitimatefruitoftheBible，andtheywouldhavenoneofit。

RomehadmisrepresentedthecharacterofGodandpervertedHisrequirements，andnowmenrejectedboththeBibleanditsAuthor。Shehadrequiredablindfaithinherdogmas，underthepretendedsanctionoftheScriptures。Inthereaction，VoltaireandhisassociatescastasideGod’swordaltogetherandspreadeverywherethepoisonofinfidelity。Romehadgrounddownthepeopleunderherironheel；andnowthemasses，degradedandbrutalized，intheirrecoilfrom282

hertyranny，castoffallrestraint。Enragedattheglitteringcheattowhichtheyhadsolongpaidhomage，theyrejectedtruthandfalsehoodtogether；andmistakinglicenseforliberty，theslavesofviceexultedintheirimaginedfreedom。

AttheopeningoftheRevolution，byaconcessionoftheking，thepeopleweregrantedarepresentationexceedingthatofthenoblesandtheclergycombined。Thusthebalanceofpowerwasintheirhands；buttheywerenotpreparedtouseitwithwisdomandmoderation。Eagertoredressthewrongstheyhadsuffered，theydeterminedtoundertakethereconstructionofsociety。Anoutragedpopulace，whosemindswerefilledwithbitterandlong-treasuredmemoriesofwrong，resolvedtorevolutionizethestateofmiserythathadgrownunbearableandtoavengethemselvesuponthosewhomtheyregardedastheauthorsoftheirsufferings。Theoppressedwroughtoutthelessontheyhadlearnedundertyrannyandbecametheoppressorsofthosewhohadoppressedthem。

UnhappyFrancereapedinbloodtheharvestshehadsown。TerribleweretheresultsofhersubmissiontothecontrollingpowerofRome。WhereFrance，undertheinfluenceofRomanism，hadsetupthefirststakeattheopeningoftheReformation，theretheRevolutionsetupitsfirstguillotine。OntheveryspotwherethefirstmartyrstotheProtestantfaithwereburnedinthesixteenthcentury，thefirstvictimswereguillotinedintheeighteenth。Inrepellingthegospel，whichwouldhavebroughtherhealing，Francehadopenedthedoortoinfidelityandruin。WhentherestraintsofGod’slawwerecastaside，itwasfoundthatthelawsofmanwereinadequatetoholdincheckthepowerfultidesofhumanpassion；andthenationsweptontorevoltandanarchy。ThewaragainsttheBibleinauguratedanerawhichstandsintheworld’shistoryastheReignofTerror。Peaceandhappinesswerebanishedfromthehomesandheartsofmen。Noonewassecure。Hewhotriumphedtodaywassuspected，condemned，tomorrow。Violenceandlustheldundisputedsway。

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King，clergy，andnobleswerecompelledtosubmittotheatrocitiesofanexcitedandmaddenedpeople。Theirthirstforvengeancewasonlystimulatedbytheexecutionoftheking；andthosewhohaddecreedhisdeathsoonfollowedhimtothescaffold。AgeneralslaughterofallsuspectedofhostilitytotheRevolutionwasdetermined。Theprisonswerecrowded，atonetimecontainingmorethantwohundredthousandcaptives。Thecitiesofthekingdomwerefilledwithscenesofhorror。Onepartyofrevolutionistswasagainstanotherparty，andFrancebecameavastfieldforcontendingmasses，swayedbythefuryoftheirpassions。"InParisonetumultsucceededanother，andthecitizensweredividedintoamedleyoffactions，thatseemedintentonnothingbutmutualextermination。"Andtoaddtothegeneralmisery，thenationbecameinvolvedinaprolongedanddevastatingwarwiththegreatpowersofEurope。"Thecountrywasnearlybankrupt，thearmieswereclamoringforarrearsofpay，theParisianswerestarving，theprovinceswerelaidwastebybrigands，andcivilizationwasalmostextinguishedinanarchyandlicense。"

AlltoowellthepeoplehadlearnedthelessonsofcrueltyandtorturewhichRomehadsodiligentlytaught。Adayofretributionatlasthadcome。ItwasnotnowthedisciplesofJesusthatwerethrustintodungeonsanddraggedtothestake。Longagothesehadperishedorbeendrivenintoexile。UnsparingRomenowfeltthedeadlypowerofthosewhomshehadtrainedtodelightindeedsofblood。"TheexampleofpersecutionwhichtheclergyofFrancehadexhibitedforsomanyages，wasnowretorteduponthemwithsignalvigor。

Thescaffoldsranredwiththebloodofthepriests。Thegalleysandtheprisons，oncecrowdedwithHuguenots，werenowfilledwiththeirpersecutors。Chainedtothebenchandtoilingattheoar，theRomanCatholicclergyexperiencedallthosewoeswhichtheirchurchhadsofreelyinflictedonthegentleheretics。"(SeeAppendix。)

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"Thencamethosedayswhenthemostbarbarousofallcodeswasadministeredbythemostbarbarousofalltribunals；whennomancouldgreethisneighborsorsayhisprayers……withoutdangerofcommittingacapitalcrime；whenspieslurkedineverycorner；whentheguillotinewaslongandhardatworkeverymorning；whenthejailswerefilledascloseastheholdsofaslaveship；whentheguttersranfoamingwithbloodintotheSeine……WhilethedailywagonloadsofvictimswerecarriedtotheirdoomthroughthestreetsofParis，theproconsuls，whomthesovereigncommitteehadsentforthtothedepartments，reveledinanextravaganceofcrueltyunknowneveninthecapital。Theknifeofthedeadlymachineroseandfelltooslowfortheirworkofslaughter。Longrowsofcaptivesweremoweddownwithgrapeshot。Holesweremadeinthebottomofcrowdedbarges。Lyonswasturnedintoadesert。AtArraseventhecruelmercyofaspeedydeathwasdeniedtotheprisoners。AlldowntheLoire，fromSaumurtothesea，greatflocksofcrowsandkitesfeastedonnakedcorpses，twinedtogetherinhideousembraces。Nomercywasshowntosexorage。Thenumberofyoungladsandofgirlsofseventeenwhoweremurderedbythatexecrablegovernment，istobereckonedbyhundreds。BabiestornfromthebreastweretossedfrompiketopikealongtheJacobinranks。"(SeeAppendix。)Intheshortspaceoftenyears，multitudesofhumanbeingsperished。

AllthiswasasSatanwouldhaveit。Thiswaswhatforageshehadbeenworkingtosecure。Hispolicyisdeceptionfromfirsttolast，andhissteadfastpurposeistobringwoeandwretchednessuponmen，todefaceanddefiletheworkmanshipofGod，tomarthedivinepurposesofbenevolenceandlove，andthuscausegriefinheaven。Thenbyhisdeceptiveartsheblindsthemindsofmen，andleadsthemtothrowbacktheblameofhisworkuponGod，asifallthismiseryweretheresultoftheCreator’splan。Inlikemanner，when285

thosewhohavebeendegradedandbrutalizedthroughhiscruelpowerachievetheirfreedom，heurgesthemontoexcessesandatrocities。Thenthispictureofunbridledlicenseispointedoutbytyrantsandoppressorsasanillustrationoftheresultsofliberty。

Whenerrorinonegarbhasbeendetected，Satanonlymasksitinadifferentdisguise，andmultitudesreceiveitaseagerlyasatthefirst。WhenthepeoplefoundRomanismtobeadeception，andhecouldnotthroughthisagencyleadthemtotransgressionofGod’slaw，heurgedthemtoregardallreligionasacheat，andtheBibleasafable；and，castingasidethedivinestatutes，theygavethemselvesuptounbridlediniquity。

ThefatalerrorwhichwroughtsuchwoefortheinhabitantsofFrancewastheignoringofthisonegreattruth:thattruefreedomlieswithintheproscriptionsofthelawofGod。"OthatthouhadsthearkenedtoMycommandments！thenhadthypeacebeenasariver，andthyrighteousnessasthewavesofthesea。""Thereisnopeace，saiththeLord，untothewicked。"

"ButwhosohearkenethuntoMeshalldwellsafely，andshallbequietfromfearofevil。"Isaiah48:18，22；Proverbs1:33。

Atheists，infidels，andapostatesopposeanddenounceGod’slaw；buttheresultsoftheirinfluenceprovethatthewell-beingofmanisboundupwithhisobedienceofthedivinestatutes。ThosewhowillnotreadthelessonfromthebookofGodarebiddentoreaditinthehistoryofnations。

WhenSatanwroughtthroughtheRomanChurchtoleadmenawayfromobedience，hisagencywasconcealed，andhisworkwassodisguisedthatthedegradationandmiserywhichresultedwerenotseentobethefruitoftransgression。

AndhispowerwassofarcounteractedbytheworkingoftheSpiritofGodthathispurposeswerepreventedfromreachingtheirfullfruition。Thepeopledidnottracetheeffecttoitscauseanddiscoverthesourceoftheirmiseries。Butinthe286

RevolutionthelawofGodwasopenlysetasidebytheNationalCouncil。AndintheReignofTerrorwhichfollowed，theworkingofcauseandeffectcouldbeseenbyall。

WhenFrancepubliclyrejectedGodandsetasidetheBible，wickedmenandspiritsofdarknessexultedintheirattainmentoftheobjectsolongdesired——akingdomfreefromtherestraintsofthelawofGod。Becausesentenceagainstanevilworkwasnotspeedilyexecuted，thereforetheheartofthesonsofmenwas"fullysetinthemtodoevil。"Ecclesiastes8:11。

Butthetransgressionofajustandrighteouslawmustinevitablyresultinmiseryandruin。Thoughnotvisitedatoncewithjudgments，thewickednessofmenwasneverthelesssurelyworkingouttheirdoom。Centuriesofapostasyandcrimehadbeentreasuringupwrathagainstthedayofretribution；andwhentheiriniquitywasfull，thedespisersofGodlearnedtoolatethatitisafearfulthingtohavewornoutthedivinepatience。TherestrainingSpiritofGod，whichimposesacheckuponthecruelpowerofSatan，wasinagreatmeasureremoved，andhewhoseonlydelightisthewretchednessofmenwaspermittedtoworkhiswill。Thosewhohadchosentheserviceofrebellionwerelefttoreapitsfruitsuntilthelandwasfilledwithcrimestoohorribleforpentotrace。Fromdevastatedprovincesandruinedcitiesaterriblecrywasheard——acryofbitterestanguish。Francewasshakenasifbyanearthquake。Religion，law，socialorder，thefamily，thestate，andthechurch——allweresmittendownbytheimpioushandthathadbeenliftedagainstthelawofGod。Trulyspokethewiseman:"Thewickedshallfallbyhisownwickedness。""Thoughasinnerdoevilahundredtimes，andhisdaysbeprolonged，yetsurelyIknowthatitshallbewellwiththemthatfearGod，whichfearbeforeHim:butitshallnotbewellwiththewicked。"

Proverbs11:5；Ecclesiastes8:12，13。"Theyhatedknowledge，anddidnotchoosethefearoftheLord；""thereforeshalltheyeatofthefruitoftheirownway，andbefilledwiththeirowndevices。"Proverbs1:29，31。

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God’sfaithfulwitnesses，slainbytheblasphemouspowerthat"ascendethoutofthebottomlesspit，"werenotlongtoremainsilent。"AfterthreedaysandahalftheSpiritoflifefromGodenteredintothem，andtheystoodupontheirfeet；andgreatfearfelluponthemwhichsawthem。"Revelation11:11。Itwasin1793thatthedecreeswhichabolishedtheChristianreligionandsetasidetheBiblepassedtheFrenchAssembly。Threeyearsandahalflateraresolutionrescindingthesedecrees，thusgrantingtolerationtotheScriptures，wasadoptedbythesamebody。TheworldstoodaghastattheenormityofguiltwhichhadresultedfromarejectionoftheSacredOracles，andmenrecognizedthenecessityoffaithinGodandHiswordasthefoundationofvirtueandmorality。SaiththeLord:"Whomhastthoureproachedandblasphemed？andagainstwhomhastthouexaltedthyvoice，andliftedupthineeyesonhigh？evenagainsttheHolyOneofIsrael，"Isaiah37:23。"Therefore，behold，Iwillcausethemtoknow，thisoncewillIcausethemtoknowMyhandandMymight；andtheyshallknowthatMynameisJehovah。"Jeremiah16:21，A。R。V。

Concerningthetwowitnessestheprophetdeclaresfurther:"Andtheyheardagreatvoicefromheavensayinguntothem，Comeuphither。Andtheyascendeduptoheaveninacloud；andtheirenemiesbeheldthem。"Revelation11:12。

SinceFrancemadewaruponGod’stwowitnesses，theyhavebeenhonoredasneverbefore。In1804theBritishandForeignBibleSocietywasorganized。

Thiswasfollowedbysimilarorganizations，withnumerousbranches，uponthecontinentofEurope。In1816theAmericanBibleSocietywasfounded。WhentheBritishSocietywasformed，theBiblehadbeenprintedandcirculatedinfiftytongues。Ithassincebeentranslatedintomanyhundredsoflanguagesanddialects。(SeeAppendix。)

Forthefiftyyearspreceding1792，littleattentionwasgiventotheworkofforeignmissions。Nonewsocietieswereformed，andtherewerebutfewchurchesthatmadeany288

effortforthespreadofChristianityinheathenlands。Buttowardthecloseoftheeighteenthcenturyagreatchangetookplace。Menbecamedissatisfiedwiththeresultsofrationalismandrealizedthenecessityofdivinerevelationandexperimentalreligion。Fromthistimetheworkofforeignmissionsattainedanunprecedentedgrowth。(SeeAppendix。)

TheimprovementsinprintinghavegivenanimpetustotheworkofcirculatingtheBible。Theincreasedfacilitiesforcommunicationbetweendifferentcountries，thebreakingdownofancientbarriersofprejudiceandnationalexclusiveness，andthelossofsecularpowerbythepontiffofRomehaveopenedthewayfortheentranceofthewordofGod。ForsomeyearstheBiblehasbeensoldwithoutrestraintinthestreetsofRome，andithasnowbeencarriedtoeverypartofthehabitableglobe。

TheinfidelVoltaireonceboastinglysaid:"IamwearyofhearingpeoplerepeatthattwelvemenestablishedtheChristianreligion。Iwillprovethatonemanmaysufficetooverthrowit。"Generationshavepassedsincehisdeath。MillionshavejoinedinthewarupontheBible。Butitissofarfrombeingdestroyed，thatwheretherewereahundredinVoltaire’stime，therearenowtenthousand，yes，ahundredthousandcopiesofthebookofGod。InthewordsofanearlyReformerconcerningtheChristianchurch，"TheBibleisananvilthathaswornoutmanyhammers。"SaiththeLord:"Noweaponthatisformedagainsttheeshallprosper；andeverytonguethatshallriseagainsttheeinjudgmentthoushaltcondemn。"Isaiah54:17。

"ThewordofourGodshallstandforever。""AllHiscommandmentsaresure。

Theystandfastforeverandever，andaredoneintruthanduprightness。"

Isaiah40:8；Psalm111:7，8。Whateverisbuiltupontheauthorityofmanwillbeoverthrown；butthatwhichisfoundedupontherockofGod’simmutablewordshallstandforever。

(289)

Chapter16

ThePilgrimFathersTheEnglishReformers，whilerenouncingthedoctrinesofRomanism，hadretainedmanyofitsforms。ThusthoughtheauthorityandthecreedofRomewererejected，notafewofhercustomsandceremonieswereincorporatedintotheworshipoftheChurchofEngland。Itwasclaimedthatthesethingswerenotmattersofconscience；thatthoughtheywerenotcommandedinScripture，andhencewerenonessential，yetnotbeingforbidden，theywerenotintrinsicallyevil。TheirobservancetendedtonarrowthegulfwhichseparatedthereformedchurchesfromRome，anditwasurgedthattheywouldpromotetheacceptanceoftheProtestantfaithbyRomanists。

Totheconservativeandcompromising，theseargumentsseemedconclusive。Buttherewasanotherclassthatdidnotsojudge。Thefactthatthesecustoms"tendedtobridgeoverthechasmbetweenRomeandtheReformation"(Martyn，volume5，page22)，wasintheirviewaconclusiveargumentagainstretainingthem。Theylookeduponthemasbadgesoftheslaveryfromwhichtheyhadbeendeliveredandtowhichtheyhadnodispositiontoreturn。TheyreasonedthatGodhasinHiswordestablishedtheregulationsgoverningHisworship，andthatmenarenotatlibertytoaddtotheseortodetractfromthem。TheverybeginningofthegreatapostasywasinseekingtosupplementtheauthorityofGodby290

thatofthechurch。RomebeganbyenjoiningwhatGodhadnotforbidden，andsheendedbyforbiddingwhatHehadexplicitlyenjoined。

Manyearnestlydesiredtoreturntothepurityandsimplicitywhichcharacterizedtheprimitivechurch。TheyregardedmanyoftheestablishedcustomsoftheEnglishChurchasmonumentsofidolatry，andtheycouldnotinconscienceuniteinherworship。Butthechurch，beingsupportedbythecivilauthority，wouldpermitnodissentfromherforms。Attendanceuponherservicewasrequiredbylaw，andunauthorizedassembliesforreligiousworshipwereprohibited，underpenaltyofimprisonment，exile，anddeath。

AttheopeningoftheseventeenthcenturythemonarchwhohadjustascendedthethroneofEnglanddeclaredhisdeterminationtomakethePuritans"conform，or……harrythemoutoftheland，orelseworse。"——GeorgeBancroft，HistoryoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica，pt。1，ch。12，par。6。

Hunted，persecuted，andimprisoned，theycoulddiscerninthefuturenopromiseofbetterdays，andmanyyieldedtotheconvictionthatforsuchaswouldserveGodaccordingtothedictatesoftheirconscience，"Englandwasceasingforevertobeahabitableplace。"——J。G。Palfrey，HistoryofNewEngland，ch。3，par。43。SomeatlastdeterminedtoseekrefugeinHolland。

Difficulties，losses，andimprisonmentwereencountered。Theirpurposeswerethwarted，andtheywerebetrayedintothehandsoftheirenemies。Butsteadfastperseverancefinallyconquered，andtheyfoundshelteronthefriendlyshoresoftheDutchRepublic。

Intheirflighttheyhadlefttheirhouses，theirgoods，andtheirmeansoflivelihood。Theywerestrangersinastrangeland，amongapeopleofdifferentlanguageandcustoms。Theywereforcedtoresorttonewanduntriedoccupationstoearntheirbread。Middle-agedmen，whohadspenttheirlivesintillingthesoil，hadnowtolearnmechanicaltrades。Buttheycheerfullyacceptedthesituationandlostnotimeinidlenessorrepining。Thoughoftenpinchedwithpoverty，291

theythankedGodfortheblessingswhichwerestillgrantedthemandfoundtheirjoyinunmolestedspiritualcommunion。"Theyknewtheywerepilgrims，andlookednotmuchonthosethings，butlifteduptheireyestoheaven，theirdearestcountry，andquietedtheirspirits。"——Bancroft，pt。1，ch。12，par。15。

Inthemidstofexileandhardshiptheirloveandfaithwaxedstrong。TheytrustedtheLord’spromises，andHedidnotfailthemintimeofneed。Hisangelswerebytheirside，toencourageandsupportthem。AndwhenGod’shandseemedpointingthemacrossthesea，toalandwheretheymightfoundforthemselvesastate，andleavetotheirchildrenthepreciousheritageofreligiousliberty，theywentforward，withoutshrinking，inthepathofprovidence。

GodhadpermittedtrialstocomeuponHispeopletopreparethemfortheaccomplishmentofHisgraciouspurposetowardthem。Thechurchhadbeenbroughtlow，thatshemightbeexalted。GodwasabouttodisplayHispowerinherbehalf，togivetotheworldanotherevidencethatHewillnotforsakethosewhotrustinHim。HehadoverruledeventstocausethewrathofSatanandtheplotsofevilmentoadvanceHisgloryandtobringHispeopletoaplaceofsecurity。Persecutionandexilewereopeningthewaytofreedom。

WhenfirstconstrainedtoseparatefromtheEnglishChurch，thePuritanshadjoinedthemselvestogetherbyasolemncovenant，astheLord’sfreepeople，"towalktogetherinallHiswaysmadeknownortobemadeknowntothem。"——

J。Brown，ThePilgrimFathers，page74。Herewasthetruespiritofreform，thevitalprincipleofProtestantism。ItwaswiththispurposethatthePilgrimsdepartedfromHollandtofindahomeintheNewWorld。JohnRobinson，theirpastor，whowasprovidentiallypreventedfromaccompanyingthem，inhisfarewelladdresstotheexilessaid:

"Brethren，wearenowerelongtopartasunder，andtheLordknowethwhetherIshallliveevertoseeyourfacesmore。ButwhethertheLordhathappointeditornot，I

292

chargeyoubeforeGodandHisblessedangelstofollowmenofartherthanI

havefollowedChrist。IfGodshouldrevealanythingtoyoubyanyotherinstrumentofHis，beasreadytoreceiveitaseveryouweretoreceiveanytruthofmyministry；forIamveryconfidenttheLordhathmoretruthandlightyettobreakforthoutofHisholyword。"——Martyn，vol。5，p。70。

"Formypart，Icannotsufficientlybewailtheconditionofthereformedchurches，whoarecometoaperiodinreligion，andwillgoatpresentnofartherthantheinstrumentsoftheirreformation。TheLutheranscannotbedrawntogobeyondwhatLuthersaw；……andtheCalvinists，yousee，stickfastwheretheywereleftbythatgreatmanofGod，whoyetsawnotallthings。Thisisamiserymuchtobelamented；forthoughtheywereburningandshininglightsintheirtime，yettheypenetratednotintothewholecounselofGod，butweretheynowliving，wouldbeaswillingtoembracefurtherlightasthatwhichtheyfirstreceived。"——D。Neal，HistoryofthePuritans，vol。1，p。269。

"Rememberyourchurchcovenant，inwhichyouhaveagreedtowalkinallthewaysoftheLord，madeortobemadeknownuntoyou。RememberyourpromiseandcovenantwithGodandwithoneanother，toreceivewhateverlightandtruthshallbemadeknowntoyoufromHiswrittenword；butwithal，takeheed，Ibeseechyou，whatyoureceivefortruth，andcompareitandweighitwithotherscripturesoftruthbeforeyouacceptit；foritisnotpossibletheChristianworldshouldcomesolatelyoutofsuchthickantichristiandarkness，andthatfullperfectionofknowledgeshouldbreakforthatonce。"——Martyn，vol。5，pp。70，71。

ItwasthedesireforlibertyofconsciencethatinspiredthePilgrimstobravetheperilsofthelongjourneyacrossthesea，toendurethehardshipsanddangersofthewilderness，andwithGod’sblessingtolay，ontheshoresofAmerica，thefoundationofamightynation。YethonestandGod-fearing293

astheywere，thePilgrimsdidnotyetcomprehendthegreatprincipleofreligiousliberty。Thefreedomwhichtheysacrificedsomuchtosecureforthemselves，theywerenotequallyreadytogranttoothers。"Veryfew，evenoftheforemostthinkersandmoralistsoftheseventeenthcentury，hadanyjustconceptionofthatgrandprinciple，theoutgrowthoftheNewTestament，whichacknowledgesGodasthesolejudgeofhumanfaith。"——Ibid。，vol。5，p。

297。ThedoctrinethatGodhascommittedtothechurchtherighttocontroltheconscience，andtodefineandpunishheresy，isoneofthemostdeeplyrootedofpapalerrors。WhiletheReformersrejectedthecreedofRome，theywerenotentirelyfreefromherspiritofintolerance。Thedensedarknessinwhich，throughthelongagesofherrule，poperyhadenvelopedallChristendom，hadnotevenyetbeenwhollydissipated。SaidoneoftheleadingministersinthecolonyofMassachusettsBay:"Itwastolerationthatmadetheworldantichristian；andthechurchnevertookharmbythepunishmentofheretics。"——Ibid。，vol。

5，p。335。Theregulationwasadoptedbythecoloniststhatonlychurchmembersshouldhaveavoiceinthecivilgovernment。Akindofstatechurchwasformed，allthepeoplebeingrequiredtocontributetothesupportoftheclergy，andthemagistratesbeingauthorizedtosuppressheresy。Thusthesecularpowerwasinthehandsofthechurch。Itwasnotlongbeforethesemeasuresledtotheinevitableresult——persecution。

Elevenyearsaftertheplantingofthefirstcolony，RogerWilliamscametotheNewWorld。LiketheearlyPilgrimshecametoenjoyreligiousfreedom；

but，unlikethem，hesaw——whatsofewinhistimehadyetseen——thatthisfreedomwastheinalienablerightofall，whatevermightbetheircreed。Hewasanearnestseekerfortruth，withRobinsonholdingitimpossiblethatallthelightfromGod’swordhadyetbeenreceived。Williams"wasthefirstpersoninmodernChristendomtoestablishcivilgovernmentonthedoctrineofthelibertyofconscience，theequalityofopinionsbefore294

thelaw。"——Bancroft，pt。1，ch。15，par。16。Hedeclaredittobethedutyofthemagistratetorestraincrime，butnevertocontroltheconscience。

"Thepublicorthemagistratesmaydecide，"hesaid，"whatisduefrommantoman；butwhentheyattempttoprescribeaman’sdutiestoGod，theyareoutofplace，andtherecanbenosafety；foritisclearthatifthemagistrateshasthepower，hemaydecreeonesetofopinionsorbeliefstodayandanothertomorrow；ashasbeendoneinEnglandbydifferentkingsandqueens，andbydifferentpopesandcouncilsintheRomanChurch；sothatbeliefwouldbecomeaheapofconfusion。"——Martyn，vol。5，p。340。

Attendanceattheservicesoftheestablishedchurchwasrequiredunderapenaltyoffineorimprisonment。"Williamsreprobatedthelaw；theworststatuteintheEnglishcodewasthatwhichdidbutenforceattendanceupontheparishchurch。Tocompelmentounitewiththoseofadifferentcreed，heregardedasanopenviolationoftheirnaturalrights；todragtopublicworshiptheirreligiousandtheunwilling，seemedonlylikerequiringhypocrisy……’Nooneshouldbeboundtoworship，or，’headded，’tomaintainaworship，againsthisownconsent。’’What！’exclaimedhisantagonists，amazedathistenets，’isnotthelaborerworthyofhishire？’

’Yes，’repliedhe，’fromthemthathirehim。’"——Bancroft，pt。1，ch。15，par。2。

RogerWilliamswasrespectedandbelovedasafaithfulminister，amanofraregifts，ofunbendingintegrityandtruebenevolence；yethissteadfastdenialoftherightofcivilmagistratestoauthorityoverthechurch，andhisdemandforreligiousliberty，couldnotbetolerated。Theapplicationofthisnewdoctrine，itwasurged，would"subvertthefundamentalstateandgovernmentofthecountry。"——Ibid。，pt。1，ch。15，par。10。Hewassentencedtobanishmentfromthecolonies，and，finally，toavoidarrest，hewasforcedtoflee，amidthecoldandstormsofwinter，intotheunbrokenforest。

"Forfourteenweeks，"hesays，"Iwassorelytossedinabitterseason，notknowingwhatbreadorbeddidmean。"

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But"theravensfedmeinthewilderness，"andahollowtreeoftenservedhimforashelter——Martyn，vol。5，pp。349，350。Thushecontinuedhispainfulflightthroughthesnowandthetracklessforest，untilhefoundrefugewithanIndiantribewhoseconfidenceandaffectionhehadwonwhileendeavoringtoteachthemthetruthsofthegospel。

Makinghiswayatlast，aftermonthsofchangeandwandering，totheshoresofNarragansettBay，hetherelaidthefoundationofthefirststateofmoderntimesthatinthefullestsenserecognizedtherightofreligiousfreedom。ThefundamentalprincipleofRogerWilliams’scolonywas"thateverymanshouldhavelibertytoworshipGodaccordingtothelightofhisownconscience。"——Ibid。，vol。5，p。354。Hislittlestate，RhodeIsland，becametheasylumoftheoppressed，anditincreasedandprospereduntilitsfoundationprinciples——civilandreligiousliberty——becamethecornerstonesoftheAmericanRepublic。

Inthatgrandolddocumentwhichourforefatherssetforthastheirbillofrights——theDeclarationofIndependence——theydeclared:"Weholdthesetruthstobeself-evident，thatallmenarecreatedequal；thattheyareendowedbytheirCreatorwithcertainunalienablerights；thatamongthesearelife，liberty，andthepursuitofhappiness。"AndtheConstitutionguarantees，inthemostexplicitterms，theinviolabilityofconscience:"NoreligioustestshalleverberequiredasaqualificationtoanyofficeofpublictrustundertheUnitedStates。""Congressshallmakenolawrespectinganestablishmentofreligion，orprohibitingthefreeexercisethereof。"

"TheframersoftheConstitutionrecognizedtheeternalprinciplethatman’srelationwithhisGodisabovehumanlegislation，andhisrightsofconscienceinalienable。Reasoningwasnotnecessarytoestablishthistruth；

weareconsciousofitinourownbosoms。Itisthisconsciousnesswhich，indefianceofhumanlaws，hassustainedsomanymartyrsintorturesandflames。TheyfeltthattheirdutytoGodwassuperiortohumanenactments，andthatmancouldexercise296

noauthorityovertheirconsciences。Itisaninbornprinciplewhichnothingcaneradicate。"——Congressionaldocuments(U。S。A。)，serialNo。200，documentNo。271。

AsthetidingsspreadthroughthecountriesofEurope，ofalandwhereeverymanmightenjoythefruitofhisownlaborandobeytheconvictionsofhisownconscience，thousandsflockedtotheshoresoftheNewWorld。Coloniesrapidlymultiplied。"Massachusetts，byspeciallaw，offeredfreewelcomeandaid，atthepubliccost，toChristiansofanynationalitywhomightflybeyondtheAtlantic’toescapefromwarsorfamine，ortheoppressionoftheirpersecutors。’Thusthefugitiveandthedowntroddenwere，bystatute，madetheguestsofthecommonwealth。"——Martyn，vol。5，p。417。IntwentyyearsfromthefirstlandingatPlymouth，asmanythousandPilgrimsweresettledinNewEngland。

Tosecuretheobjectwhichtheysought，"theywerecontenttoearnabaresubsistencebyalifeoffrugalityandtoil。Theyaskednothingfromthesoilbutthereasonablereturnsoftheirownlabor。Nogoldenvisionthrewadeceitfulhaloaroundtheirpath……Theywerecontentwiththeslowbutsteadyprogressoftheirsocialpolity。Theypatientlyenduredtheprivationsofthewilderness，wateringthetreeoflibertywiththeirtears，andwiththesweatoftheirbrow，tillittookdeeprootintheland。"

TheBiblewasheldasthefoundationoffaith，thesourceofwisdom，andthecharterofliberty。Itsprincipleswerediligentlytaughtinthehome，intheschool，andinthechurch，anditsfruitsweremanifestinthrift，intelligence，purity，andtemperance。OnemightbeforyearsadwellerinthePuritansettlement，"andnotseeadrunkard，orhearanoath，ormeetabeggar。"——Bancroft，pt。1，ch。19，par。25。ItwasdemonstratedthattheprinciplesoftheBiblearethesurestsafeguardsofnationalgreatness。Thefeebleandisolatedcoloniesgrewtoaconfederationofpowerfulstates，andtheworldmarkedwithwonderthepeaceandprosperityof"achurchwithoutapope，andastatewithoutaking。"

Butcontinuallyincreasingnumberswereattractedtothe297

shoresofAmerica，actuatedbymotiveswidelydifferentfromthoseofthefirstPilgrims。Thoughtheprimitivefaithandpurityexertedawidespreadandmoldingpower，yetitsinfluencebecamelessandlessasthenumbersincreasedofthosewhosoughtonlyworldlyadvantage。

Theregulationadoptedbytheearlycolonists，ofpermittingonlymembersofthechurchtovoteortoholdofficeinthecivilgovernment，ledtomostperniciousresults。Thismeasurehadbeenacceptedasameansofpreservingthepurityofthestate，butitresultedinthecorruptionofthechurch。A

professionofreligionbeingtheconditionofsuffrageandofficeholding，many，actuatedsolelybymotivesofworldlypolicy，unitedwiththechurchwithoutachangeofheart。Thusthechurchescametoconsist，toaconsiderableextent，ofunconvertedpersons；andevenintheministrywerethosewhonotonlyhelderrorsofdoctrine，butwhowereignorantoftherenewingpoweroftheHolySpirit。Thusagainwasdemonstratedtheevilresults，sooftenwitnessedinthehistoryofthechurchfromthedaysofConstantinetothepresent，ofattemptingtobuildupthechurchbytheaidofthestate，ofappealingtothesecularpowerinsupportofthegospelofHimwhodeclared:"Mykingdomisnotofthisworld。"John18:36。Theunionofthechurchwiththestate，bethedegreeneversoslight，whileitmayappeartobringtheworldnearertothechurch，doesinrealitybutbringthechurchnearertotheworld。

ThegreatprinciplesonoblyadvocatedbyRobinsonandRogerWilliams，thattruthisprogressive，thatChristiansshouldstandreadytoacceptallthelightwhichmayshinefromGod’sholyword，waslostsightofbytheirdescendants。TheProtestantchurchesofAmerica，——andthoseofEuropeaswell，——sohighlyfavoredinreceivingtheblessingsoftheReformation，failedtopressforwardinthepathofreform。Thoughafewfaithfulmenarose，fromtimetotime，toproclaimnewtruthandexposelong-cherishederror，themajority，liketheJewsinChrist’sdayorthepapistsinthetimeofLuther，werecontenttobelieveastheirfathershad298

believedandtoliveastheyhadlived。Thereforereligionagaindegeneratedintoformalism；anderrorsandsuperstitionswhichwouldhavebeencastasidehadthechurchcontinuedtowalkinthelightofGod’sword，wereretainedandcherished。ThusthespiritinspiredbytheReformationgraduallydiedout，untiltherewasalmostasgreatneedofreformintheProtestantchurchesasintheRomanChurchinthetimeofLuther。Therewasthesameworldlinessandspiritualstupor，asimilarreverencefortheopinionsofmen，andsubstitutionofhumantheoriesfortheteachingsofGod’sword。

ThewidecirculationoftheBibleintheearlypartofthenineteenthcentury，andthegreatlightthusshedupontheworld，wasnotfollowedbyacorrespondingadvanceinknowledgeofrevealedtruth，orinexperimentalreligion。Satancouldnot，asinformerages，keepGod’swordfromthepeople；ithadbeenplacedwithinthereachofall；butinorderstilltoaccomplishhisobject，heledmanytovalueitbutlightly。MenneglectedtosearchtheScriptures，andthustheycontinuedtoacceptfalseinterpretations，andtocherishdoctrineswhichhadnofoundationintheBible。

Seeingthefailureofhiseffortstocrushoutthetruthbypersecution，SatanhadagainresortedtotheplanofcompromisewhichledtothegreatapostasyandtheformationoftheChurchofRome。HehadinducedChristianstoallythemselves，notnowwithpagans，butwiththosewho，bytheirdevotiontothethingsofthisworld，hadprovedthemselvestobeastrulyidolatersasweretheworshipersofgravenimages。Andtheresultsofthisunionwerenolessperniciousnowthaninformerages；prideandextravagancewerefosteredundertheguiseofreligion，andthechurchesbecamecorrupted。SatancontinuedtopervertthedoctrinesoftheBible，andtraditionsthatweretoruinmillionsweretakingdeeproot。Thechurchwasupholdinganddefendingthesetraditions，insteadofcontendingfor"thefaithwhichwasoncedelivereduntothesaints。"ThusweredegradedtheprinciplesforwhichtheReformershaddoneandsufferedsomuch。

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Chapter17

HeraldsoftheMorningOneofthemostsolemnandyetmostglorioustruthsrevealedintheBibleisthatofChrist’ssecondcomingtocompletethegreatworkofredemption。ToGod’spilgrimpeople，solonglefttosojournin"theregionandshadowofdeath，"aprecious，joy-inspiringhopeisgiveninthepromiseofHisappearing，whois"theresurrectionandthelife，"to"bringhomeagainHisbanished。"ThedoctrineofthesecondadventistheverykeynoteoftheSacredScriptures。FromthedaywhenthefirstpairturnedtheirsorrowingstepsfromEden，thechildrenoffaithhavewaitedthecomingofthePromisedOnetobreakthedestroyer’spowerandbringthemagaintothelostParadise。HolymenofoldlookedforwardtotheadventoftheMessiahinglory，astheconsummationoftheirhope。Enoch，onlytheseventhindescentfromthemthatdweltinEden，hewhoforthreecenturiesonearthwalkedwithhisGod，waspermittedtobeholdfromafarthecomingoftheDeliverer。

"Behold，"hedeclared，"theLordcomethwithtenthousandsofHissaints，toexecutejudgmentuponall。"Jude14，15。ThepatriarchJobinthenightofhisafflictionexclaimedwithunshakentrust:"IknowthatmyRedeemerliveth，andthatHeshallstandatthelatterdayupontheearth:……inmyfleshshallIseeGod:whomIshallseeformyself，andmineeyesshallbehold，andnotanother。"Job19:25-27。

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ThecomingofChristtousherinthereignofrighteousnesshasinspiredthemostsublimeandimpassionedutterancesofthesacredwriters。ThepoetsandprophetsoftheBiblehavedweltuponitinwordsglowingwithcelestialfire。ThepsalmistsangofthepowerandmajestyofIsrael’sKing:"OutofZion，theperfectionofbeauty，Godhathshined。OurGodshallcome，andshallnotkeepsilence……Heshallcalltotheheavensfromabove，andtotheearth，thatHemayjudgeHispeople。"Psalm50:2-4。"Lettheheavensrejoice，andlettheearthbeglad……beforetheLord:forHecometh，forHecomethtojudgetheearth:Heshalljudgetheworldwithrighteousness，andthepeoplewithHistruth。"Psalm96:11-13。

SaidtheprophetIsaiah:"Awakeandsing，yethatdwellindust:forthydewisasthedewofherbs，andtheearthshallcastoutthedead。""Thydeadmenshalllive，togetherwithmydeadbodyshalltheyarise。""Hewillswallowupdeathinvictory；andtheLordGodwillwipeawaytearsfromoffallfaces；andtherebukeofHispeopleshallHetakeawayfromoffalltheearth:fortheLordhathspokenit。Anditshallbesaidinthatday，Lo，thisisourGod；wehavewaitedforHim，andHewillsaveus:thisistheLord；wehavewaitedforHim，wewillbegladandrejoiceinHissalvation。"