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Progress in Germany
113
rant to proclaim the word of God, ... sold the books of Luther and
his friends. Germany soon swarmed with these bold colporteurs.
Bible Study Everywhere
At night the teachers of the village schools read aloud to little
groups gathered at the fireside. With every effort some souls would
be convicted of the truth. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it
giveth understanding unto the simple.”
Psalm 119:130
.
The papists who had left the study of the Scriptures to the priests
and monks now called on them to refute the new teachings. But,
ignorant of the Scriptures, priests and friars were totally defeated.
“Unhappily,” said a Catholic writer, “Luther had persuaded his fol-
lowers to put no faith in any other oracle than the Holy Scriptures.
[123]
Crowds would gather to hear truth advocated by men of little educa-
tion. The shameful ignorance of great men was made apparent as
their arguments were met by the simple teachings of God’s Word. La-
borers, soldiers, women, and even children, were better acquainted
with the Bible than priests and learned doctors.
Generous-minded youths were devoted to study, investigating
Scripture and familiarizing themselves with the masterpieces of
antiquity. Possessing active minds and intrepid hearts, these young
men soon acquired such knowledge that for a long period none could
compete with them. 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 fugitives would
find somewhere a hospitable door opened to them, and they would
preach Christ, sometimes in the church or in private houses or in the
open air. The truth spread with irresistible power.
In vain ecclesiastical and civil authorities resorted to imprison-
ment, torture, fire, and sword. Thousands of believers sealed their
faith with their blood, and yet persecution served only to extend
10
Ibid., bk. 9, ch. 11.
11
D’Aubigne, bk. 9, ch. 11.