traced in the history of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, of martyrs
and reformers.
In the great final conflict, Satan will employ the same policy,
manifest the same spirit, and work for the same end, as in all preceding
ages. That which has been, will be, except that the coming struggle
will be marked with a terrible intensity such as the world has never
witnessed. Satan’s deceptions will be more subtle, his assaults more
determined. If it were possible, he would lead astray the elect.
Mark
13:22
, Reevised Version.
As the Spirit of God has opened to my mind the great truths of his
Word, and the scenes of the past and the future, I have been bidden
to make known to others what has thus been revealed,—to trace the
history of the controversy in past ages, and especially to so present
it as to shed a light on the fast-approaching struggle of the future.
In pursuance of this purpose, I have endeavored to select and group
together events in the history of the church in such a manner as to trace
the unfolding of the great testing truths that at different periods have
been given to the world, that have excited the wrath of Satan, and the
enmity of a world-loving church, and that have been maintained by
the witness of those who “loved not their lives unto the death.”
In these records we may see a foreshadowing of the conflict before
[viii]
us. Regarding them in the light of God’s Word, and by the illumination
of his Spirit, we may see unveiled the devices of the wicked one, and
the dangers which they must shun who would be found “without fault”
before the Lord at his coming.
The great events which have marked the progress of reform in past
ages, are matters of history, well known and universally acknowledged
by the Protestant world; they are facts which none can gainsay. This
history I have presented briefly, in accordance with the scope of the
book, and the brevity which must necessarily be observed, the facts
having been condensed into as little space as seemed consistent with
a proper understanding of their application. In some cases where
a historian has so grouped together events as to afford, in brief, a
comprehensive view of the subject, or has summarized details in a
convenient manner, his words have been quoted; but except in a few
instances no specific credit has been given, since they are not quoted for
the purpose of citing that writer as authority, but because his statement
affords a ready and forcible presentation of the subject. In narrating