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The Great Controversy
these youthful defenders of the Reformation met the Romish doctors
in any assembly, they attacked them with such ease and confidence
that these ignorant men hesitated, became embarrassed, and fell into a
contempt merited in the eyes of all.”—Ibid., b. 9, ch. 11.
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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