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The Great Controversy 1888
abominable sect of malignants,” if they refuse to abjure, “be crushed
like venomous snakes.” Did this haughty potentate expect to meet
those words again? Did he know that they were registered in the books
of Heaven, to confront him at the Judgment? “Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,” said Jesus, “ye have
done it unto me.” [
Matthew 25:40
.]
This bull called upon all members of the church to join the crusade
against the heretics. As an incentive to engage in this cruel work,
it “absolved from all ecclesiastical pains and penalties, general and
particular; it released all who joined the crusade from any oaths they
might have taken; it legitimatized their title to any property which they
might have illegally acquired, and promised remission of all their sins
to such as should kill any heretic. It annulled all contracts made in
favor of the Vaudois, ordered their domestics to abandon them, forbade
all persons to give them any aid whatever, and empowered all persons
to take possession of their property.” This document clearly reveals
the masterspirit behind the scenes. It is the roar of the dragon, and not
the voice of Christ, that is heard therein.
The papal leaders would not conform their characters to the great
standard of God’s law, but erected a standard to suit themselves, and
determined to compel all to conform to this because Rome willed it.
The most horrible tragedies were enacted. Corrupt and blasphemous
priests and popes were doing the work which Satan appointed them.
Mercy had no place in their natures. The same spirit that crucified
Christ, and that slew the apostles, the same that moved the blood-
thirsty Nero against the faithful in his day, was at work to rid the earth
of those who were beloved of God.
The persecutions visited for many centuries upon this God-fearing
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people were endured by them with a patience and constancy that
honored their Redeemer. Notwithstanding the crusades against them,
and the inhuman butchery to which they were subjected, they continued
to send out their missionaries to scatter the precious truth. They were
hunted to the death; yet their blood watered the seed sown, and it failed
not of yielding fruit. Thus the Waldenses witnessed for God, centuries
before the birth of Luther. Scattered over many lands, they planted
the seeds of the Reformation that began in the time of Wycliffe, grew
broad and deep in the days of Luther, and is to be carried forward to
the close of time by those who also are willing to suffer all things for