Reformation
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repented, and was converted, all he needed was a mild caution from
John to check his ardor and zeal. The cause of Christ would often have
suffered had it been left alone to John. Peter’s zeal was needed. His
boldness and energy often delivered them from difficulty, and silenced
their enemies. John was winning. He gained many to the cause of
Christ by his patient forbearance, and deep devotedness.
God raised up men to cry against the existing sins of the Papal
church, and carry forward the reformation. Satan sought to destroy
these living witnesses; but God made a hedge about them. Some, for
the glory of his name, were permitted to seal the testimony they had
borne with their blood; but there were other powerful men, like Luther
and Melancthon, who could best glorify God by living and crying
aloud against the sins of popes, priests and kings. They trembled
before the voice of Luther. Through those chosen men, rays of light
began to scatter the darkness, and very many joyfully received the light
and walked in it. And when one witness was slain, two or more were
raised up to fill his place.
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But Satan was not satisfied. He could only have power over the
body. He could not make believers yield their faith and hope. And
even in death they triumphed with a bright hope of immortality at the
resurrection of the just. They had more than mortal energy. They dared
not sleep for a moment. They kept the christian armor girded about
them, prepared for a conflict, not merely with spiritual foes, but with
Satan in the form of men, whose constant cry was, Give up your faith,
or die. Those few Christians were strong in God, and more precious
in his sight than half a world bearing the name of Christ; yet cowards
in his cause. While the church was persecuted, they were united and
loving. They were strong in God. Sinners were not permitted to unite
themselves with it; neither the deceiver nor the deceived. Those only
who were willing to forsake all for Christ could be his disciples. They
loved to be poor, humble and Christ-like.
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