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rapidly spread themselves over Europe, and wherever they went, there
followed a revival of popery.
To give them greater power, a bull was issued re-establishing the
Inquisition. Notwithstanding the general abhorrence with which it was
regarded, even in Catholic countries, this terrible tribunal was again set
up by popish rulers, and atrocities too terrible to bear the light of day
were repeated in its secret dungeons. In many countries, thousands
upon thousands of the very flower of the nation, the purest and noblest,
the most intellectual and highly educated, pious and devoted pastors,
industrious and patriotic citizens, brilliant scholars, talented artists,
skillful artisans, were slain, or forced to flee to other lands.
Such were the means which Rome had invoked to quench the light
of the Reformation, to withdraw from men the Bible, and to restore
the ignorance and superstition of the Dark Ages. But under God’s
blessing and the labors of those noble men whom he had raised up to
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succeed Luther, Protestantism was not overthrown. Not to the favor or
arms of princes was it to owe its strength. The smallest countries, the
humblest and least powerful nations, became its strongholds. It was
little Geneva in the midst of mighty foes plotting her destruction; it
was Holland on her sand-banks by the Northern Sea, wrestling against
the tyranny of Spain, then the greatest and most opulent of kingdoms;
it was bleak, sterile Sweden, that gained victories for the Reformation.
For nearly thirty years, Calvin labored at Geneva; first to establish
there a church adhering to the morality of the Bible, and then for the
advancement of the Reformation throughout Europe. His course as a
public leader was not faultless, nor were his doctrines free from error.
But he was instrumental in promulgating truths that were of special
importance in his time, in maintaining the principles of Protestantism
against the fast-returning tide of popery; and in promoting in the
reformed churches simplicity and purity of life, in place of the pride
and corruption fostered under the Romish teaching.
From Geneva, publications and teachers went out to spread the
reformed doctrines. To this point the persecuted of all lands looked for
instruction, counsel, and encouragement. The city of Calvin became a
refuge for the hunted reformers of all Western Europe. Fleeing from
the awful tempests that continued for centuries, the fugitives came to
the gates of Geneva. Starving, wounded, bereft of home and kindred,
they were warmly welcomed and tenderly cared for; and finding a