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prehension, elevation of soul, and intrepidity of heart, these youths
soon attained such proficiency that none could compete with them.”
“So that on public occasions, on which these youthful defenders of
the Reformation encountered the Romish doctors, their assaults were
carried on with an ease and confidence that embarrassed the dullness of
their adversaries, and exposed them before all to deserved contempt.”
As the Romish clergy saw their congregations diminishing, they
invoked the aid of the magistrates, and by every means in their power
endeavored to bring back their hearers. But the people had found in the
new teachings that which supplied the wants of their souls, and they
turned away from those who had so long fed them with the worthless
husks of superstitious rites and human traditions.
When persecution was kindled against the teachers of the truth,
they gave heed to the words of Christ, “When they persecute you in
this city, flee ye into another.” [
Matthew 10:23
.] The light penetrated
everywhere. The fugitives would find somewhere a hospitable door
opened to them, and there abiding, they would preach Christ, some-
times in the church, or, if denied that privilege, in private houses or in
the open air. Wherever they could obtain a hearing was a consecrated
temple. The truth, proclaimed with such energy and assurance, spread
with irresistible power.
In vain both ecclesiastical and civil authorities were invoked to
crush the heresy. In vain they resorted to imprisonment, torture, fire,
and sword. Thousands of believers sealed their faith with their blood,
and yet the work went on. Persecution served only to extend the truth;
and the fanaticism which Satan endeavored to unite with it, resulted
in making more clear the contrast between the work of Satan and the
work of God.
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