FrancisIhadgloriedinbeingaleaderinthegreatmovementfortherevivaloflearningwhichmarkedtheopeningofthesixteenthcentury。Hehaddelightedtogatherathiscourtmenoflettersfromeverycountry。Tohisloveoflearningandhiscontemptfortheignoranceandsuperstitionofthemonkswasdue，inpartatleast，thedegreeoftolerationthathadbeengrantedtothereform。But，inspiredwithzealtostampoutheresy，thispatronoflearningissuedanedictdeclaringprintingabolishedalloverFrance！FrancisIpresentsoneamongthemanyexamplesonrecordshowingthatintellectualcultureisnotasafeguardagainstreligiousintoleranceandpersecution。
FrancebyasolemnandpublicceremonywastocommitherselffullytothedestructionofProtestantism。ThepriestsdemandedthattheaffrontofferedtoHighHeaveninthecondemnationofthemassbeexpiatedinblood，andthattheking，inbehalfofhispeople，publiclygivehissanctiontothedreadfulwork。
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The21stofJanuary，1535，wasfixeduponfortheawfulceremonial。Thesuperstitiousfearsandbigotedhatredofthewholenationhadbeenroused。
Pariswasthrongedwiththemultitudesthatfromallthesurroundingcountrycrowdedherstreets。Thedaywastobeusheredinbyavastandimposingprocession。\"Thehousesalongthelineofmarchwerehungwithmourningdrapery，andaltarsroseatintervals。\"Beforeeverydoorwasalightedtorchinhonorofthe\"holysacrament。\"Beforedaybreaktheprocessionformedatthepalaceoftheking。\"Firstcamethebannersandcrossesoftheseveralparishes；nextappearedthecitizens，walkingtwoandtwo，andbearingtorches。\"Thefourordersoffriarsfollowed，eachinitsownpeculiardress。Thencameavastcollectionoffamousrelics。Followingtheserodelordlyecclesiasticsintheirpurpleandscarletrobesandjeweledadornings，agorgeousandglitteringarray。
\"ThehostwascarriedbythebishopofParisunderamagnificentcanopy，……supportedbyfourprincesoftheblood……Afterthehostwalkedtheking……FrancisIonthatdayworenocrown，norrobeofstate。\"With\"headuncovered，hiseyescastontheground，andinhishandalightedtaper，\"thekingofFranceappeared\"inthecharacterofapenitent。\"——Ibid。，b。13，ch。21。Ateveryaltarheboweddowninhumiliation，norforthevicesthatdefiledhissoul，northeinnocentbloodthatstainedhishands，butforthedeadlysinofhissubjectswhohaddaredtocondemnthemass。Followinghimcamethequeenandthedignitariesofstate，alsowalkingtwoandtwo，eachwithalightedtorch。
Asapartoftheservicesofthedaythemonarchhimselfaddressedthehighofficialsofthekingdominthegreathallofthebishop’spalace。Withasorrowfulcountenanceheappearedbeforethemandinwordsofmovingeloquencebewailed\"thecrime，theblasphemy，thedayofsorrowanddisgrace，\"thathadcomeuponthenation。AndhecalleduponeveryloyalsubjecttoaidintheextirpationofthepestilentheresythatthreatenedFrancewithruin。\"Astrue，messieurs，asIamyourking，\"hesaid，\"ifI
knewoneofmy229
ownlimbsspottedorinfectedwiththisdetestablerottenness，Iwouldgiveityoutocutoff……Andfurther，ifIsawoneofmychildrendefiledbyit，Iwouldnotsparehim……Iwoulddeliverhimupmyself，andwouldsacrificehimtoGod。\"Tearschokedhisutterance，andthewholeassemblywept，withoneaccordexclaiming:\"WewillliveanddiefortheCatholicreligion！\"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。4，ch。12。
Terriblehadbecomethedarknessofthenationthathadrejectedthelightoftruth。Thegrace\"thatbringethsalvation\"hadappeared；butFrance，afterbeholdingitspowerandholiness，afterthousandshadbeendrawnbyitsdivinebeauty，aftercitiesandhamletshadbeenilluminatedbyitsradiance，hadturnedaway，choosingdarknessratherthanlight。Theyhadputfromthemtheheavenlygiftwhenitwasofferedthem。Theyhadcalledevilgood，andgoodevil，tilltheyhadfallenvictimstotheirwillfulself-deception。Now，thoughtheymightactuallybelievethattheyweredoingGodserviceinpersecutingHispeople，yettheirsinceritydidnotrenderthemguiltless。Thelightthatwouldhavesavedthemfromdeception，fromstainingtheirsoulswithbloodguiltiness，theyhadwillfullyrejected。
Asolemnoathtoextirpateheresywastakeninthegreatcathedralwhere，nearlythreecenturieslater，theGoddessofReasonwastobeenthronedbyanationthathadforgottenthelivingGod。Againtheprocessionformed，andtherepresentativesofFrancesetouttobegintheworkwhichtheyhadsworntodo。\"Atshortdistancesscaffoldshadbeenerected，onwhichcertainProtestantChristiansweretobeburnedalive，anditwasarrangedthatthefagotsshouldbelightedatthemomentthekingapproached，andthattheprocessionshouldhalttowitnesstheexecution。\"——Wylie，b。13，ch。21。ThedetailsofthetorturesenduredbythesewitnessesforChristaretooharrowingforrecital；buttherewasnowaveringonthepartofthevictims。
Onbeingurgedtorecant，oneanswered:\"Ionlybelieveinwhattheprophetsandtheapostlesformerlypreached，andwhatallthecompanyof230
saintsbelieved。MyfaithhasaconfidenceinGodwhichwillresistallthepowersofhell。\"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。4，ch。12。
Againandagaintheprocessionhaltedattheplacesoftorture。Uponreachingtheirstartingpointattheroyalpalace，thecrowddispersed，andthekingandtheprelateswithdrew，wellsatisfiedwiththeday’sproceedingsandcongratulatingthemselvesthattheworknowbegunwouldbecontinuedtothecompletedestructionofheresy。
ThegospelofpeacewhichFrancehadrejectedwastobeonlytoosurelyrootedout，andterriblewouldbetheresults。Onthe21stofJanuary，1793，twohundredandfifty-eightyearsfromtheverydaythatfullycommittedFrancetothepersecutionoftheReformers，anotherprocession，withafardifferentpurpose，passedthroughthestreetsofParis。\"Againthekingwasthechieffigure；againthereweretumultandshouting；againtherewasheardthecryformorevictims；againtherewereblackscaffolds；andagainthescenesofthedaywereclosedbyhorridexecutions；LouisXVI，strugglinghandtohandwithhisjailersandexecutioners，wasdraggedforwardtotheblock，andtherehelddownbymainforcetilltheaxhadfallen，andhisdisseveredheadrolledonthescaffold。\"——Wylie，b。13，ch。
21。Norwasthekingtheonlyvictim；nearthesamespottwothousandandeighthundredhumanbeingsperishedbytheguillotineduringthebloodydaysoftheReignofTerror。
TheReformationhadpresentedtotheworldanopenBible，unsealingthepreceptsofthelawofGodandurgingitsclaimsupontheconsciencesofthepeople。InfiniteLovehadunfoldedtomenthestatutesandprinciplesofheaven。Godhadsaid:\"Keepthereforeanddothem；forthisisyourwisdomandyourunderstandinginthesightofthenations，whichshallhearallthesestatutes，andsay，Surelythisgreatnationisawiseandunderstandingpeople。\"Deuteronomy4:6。WhenFrancerejectedthegiftofheaven，shesowedtheseedsofanarchyandruin；andtheinevitableoutworkingofcauseandeffectresultedintheRevolutionandtheReignofTerror。
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Longbeforethepersecutionexcitedbytheplacards，theboldandardentFarelhadbeenforcedtofleefromthelandofhisbirth。HerepairedtoSwitzerland，andbyhislabors，secondingtheworkofZwingli，hehelpedtoturnthescaleinfavoroftheReformation。Hislateryearsweretobespenthere，yethecontinuedtoexertadecidedinfluenceuponthereforminFrance。Duringthefirstyearsofhisexile，hiseffortswereespeciallydirectedtospreadingthegospelinhisnativecountry。Hespentconsiderabletimeinpreachingamonghiscountrymennearthefrontier，wherewithtirelessvigilancehewatchedtheconflictandaidedbyhiswordsofencouragementandcounsel。Withtheassistanceofotherexiles，thewritingsoftheGermanReformersweretranslatedintotheFrenchlanguageand，togetherwiththeFrenchBible，wereprintedinlargequantities。BycolporteurstheseworksweresoldextensivelyinFrance。Theywerefurnishedtothecolporteursatalowprice，andthustheprofitsoftheworkenabledthemtocontinueit。
FarelentereduponhisworkinSwitzerlandinthehumbleguiseofaschoolmaster。Repairingtoasecludedparish，hedevotedhimselftotheinstructionofchildren。Besidestheusualbranchesoflearning，hecautiouslyintroducedthetruthsoftheBible，hopingthroughthechildrentoreachtheparents。Thereweresomewhobelieved，butthepriestscameforwardtostopthework，andthesuperstitiouscountrypeoplewererousedtoopposeit。\"ThatcannotbethegospelofChrist，\"urgedthepriest，\"seeingthepreachingofitdoesnotbringpeace，butwar。\"——Wylie，b。14，ch。3。Likethefirstdisciples，whenpersecutedinonecityhefledtoanother。Fromvillagetovillage，fromcitytocity，hewent，travelingonfoot，enduringhunger，cold，andweariness，andeverywhereinperilofhislife。Hepreachedinthemarketplaces，inthechurches，sometimesinthepulpitsofthecathedrals。Sometimeshefoundthechurchemptyofhearers；
attimeshispreachingwasinterruptedbyshoutsandjeers；againhewaspulledviolentlyoutofthepulpit。Morethanoncehewassetuponbytherabbleandbeatenalmosttodeath。Yethe232
pressedforward。Thoughoftenrepulsed，withunwearyingpersistencehereturnedtotheattack；and，oneafteranother，hesawtownsandcitieswhichhadbeenstrongholdsofpopery，openingtheirgatestothegospel。Thelittleparishwherehehadfirstlaboredsoonacceptedthereformedfaith。
ThecitiesofMoratandNeuchatelalsorenouncedtheRomishritesandremovedtheidolatrousimagesfromtheirchurches。
FarelhadlongdesiredtoplanttheProtestantstandardinGeneva。Ifthiscitycouldbewon，itwouldbeacenterfortheReformationinFrance，inSwitzerland，andinItaly。Withthisobjectbeforehim，hehadcontinuedhislaborsuntilmanyofthesurroundingtownsandhamletshadbeengained。ThenwithasinglecompanionheenteredGeneva。Butonlytwosermonswashepermittedtopreach。Thepriests，havingvainlyendeavoredtosecurehiscondemnationbythecivilauthorities，summonedhimbeforeanecclesiasticalcouncil，towhichtheycamewitharmsconcealedundertheirrobes，determinedtotakehislife。Outsidethehall，afuriousmob，withclubsandswords，wasgatheredtomakesureofhisdeathifheshouldsucceedinescapingthecouncil。Thepresenceofmagistratesandanarmedforce，however，savedhim。Earlynextmorninghewasconducted，withhiscompanion，acrossthelaketoaplaceofsafety。ThusendedhisfirstefforttoevangelizeGeneva。
Forthenexttrialalowlierinstrumentwaschosen——ayoungman，sohumbleinappearancethathewascoldlytreatedevenbytheprofessedfriendsofreform。ButwhatcouldsuchaonedowhereFarelhadbeenrejected？Howcouldoneoflittlecourageandexperiencewithstandthetempestbeforewhichthestrongestandbravesthadbeenforcedtoflee？\"Notbymight，norbypower，butbyMySpirit，saiththeLord。\"Zechariah4:6。\"Godhathchosentheweakthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthethingswhicharemighty。\"
\"BecausethefoolishnessofGodiswiserthanmen；andtheweaknessofGodisstrongerthanmen。\"1Corinthians1:27，25。
Fromentbeganhisworkasaschoolmaster。Thetruthswhichhetaughtthechildrenatschooltheyrepeatedat233
theirhomes。SoontheparentscametoheartheBibleexplained，untiltheschoolroomwasfilledwithattentivelisteners。NewTestamentsandtractswerefreelydistributed，andtheyreachedmanywhodarednotcomeopenlytolistentothenewdoctrines。Afteratimethislaboreralsowasforcedtoflee；butthetruthshetaughthadtakenholduponthemindsofthepeople。
TheReformationhadbeenplanted，anditcontinuedtostrengthenandextend。
Thepreachersreturned，andthroughtheirlaborstheProtestantworshipwasfinallyestablishedinGeneva。
ThecityhadalreadydeclaredfortheReformationwhenCalvin，aftervariouswanderingsandvicissitudes，entereditsgates。Returningfromalastvisittohisbirthplace，hewasonhiswaytoBasel，when，findingthedirectroadoccupiedbythearmiesofCharlesV，hewasforcedtotakethecircuitousroutebyGeneva。
InthisvisitFarelrecognizedthehandofGod。ThoughGenevahadacceptedthereformedfaith，yetagreatworkremainedtobeaccomplishedhere。ItisnotascommunitiesbutasindividualsthatmenareconvertedtoGod；theworkofregenerationmustbewroughtintheheartandconsciencebythepoweroftheHolySpirit，notbythedecreesofcouncils。WhilethepeopleofGenevahadcastofftheauthorityofRome，theywerenotsoreadytorenouncethevicesthathadflourishedunderherrule。ToestablishherethepureprinciplesofthegospelandtopreparethispeopletofillworthilythepositiontowhichProvidenceseemedcallingthemwerenotlighttasks。
FarelwasconfidentthathehadfoundinCalvinonewhomhecouldunitewithhimselfinthiswork。InthenameofGodhesolemnlyadjuredtheyoungevangelisttoremainandlaborhere。Calvindrewbackinalarm。Timidandpeace-loving，heshrankfromcontactwiththebold，independent，andevenviolentspiritoftheGenevese。Thefeeblenessofhishealth，togetherwithhisstudioushabits，ledhimtoseekretirement。Believingthatbyhispenhecouldbestservethecauseofreform，hedesiredtofindaquiet234
retreatforstudy，andthere，throughthepress，instructandbuildupthechurches。ButFarel’ssolemnadmonitioncametohimasacallfromHeaven，andhedarednotrefuse。Itseemedtohim，hesaid，\"thatthehandofGodwasstretcheddownfromheaven，thatitlayholdofhim，andfixedhimirrevocablytotheplacehewassoimpatienttoleave。\"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。9，ch。17。
AtthistimegreatperilssurroundedtheProtestantcause。TheanathemasofthepopethunderedagainstGeneva，andmightynationsthreateneditwithdestruction。Howwasthislittlecitytoresistthepowerfulhierarchythathadsooftenforcedkingsandemperorstosubmission？Howcoulditstandagainstthearmiesoftheworld’sgreatconquerors？
ThroughoutChristendom，Protestantismwasmenacedbyformidablefoes。ThefirsttriumphsoftheReformationpast，Romesummonednewforces，hopingtoaccomplishitsdestruction。AtthistimetheorderoftheJesuitswascreated，themostcruel，unscrupulous，andpowerfulofallthechampionsofpopery。Cutofffromearthlytiesandhumaninterests，deadtotheclaimsofnaturalaffection，reasonandconsciencewhollysilenced，theyknewnorule，notie，butthatoftheirorder，andnodutybuttoextenditspower。(SeeAppendix。)ThegospelofChristhadenableditsadherentstomeetdangerandenduresuffering，undismayedbycold，hunger，toil，andpoverty，toupholdthebanneroftruthinfaceoftherack，thedungeon，andthestake。Tocombattheseforces，Jesuitisminspireditsfollowerswithafanaticismthatenabledthemtoendurelikedangers，andtoopposetothepoweroftruthalltheweaponsofdeception。Therewasnocrimetoogreatforthemtocommit，nodeceptiontoobaseforthemtopractice，nodisguisetoodifficultforthemtoassume。Vowedtoperpetualpovertyandhumility，itwastheirstudiedaimtosecurewealthandpower，tobedevotedtotheoverthrowofProtestantism，andthere-establishmentofthepapalsupremacy。
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Whenappearingasmembersoftheirorder，theyworeagarbofsanctity，visitingprisonsandhospitals，ministeringtothesickandthepoor，professingtohaverenouncedtheworld，andbearingthesacrednameofJesus，whowentaboutdoinggood。Butunderthisblamelessexteriorthemostcriminalanddeadlypurposeswereoftenconcealed。Itwasafundamentalprincipleoftheorderthattheendjustifiesthemeans。Bythiscode，lying，theft，perjury，assassination，werenotonlypardonablebutcommendable，whentheyservedtheinterestsofthechurch。UndervariousdisguisestheJesuitsworkedtheirwayintoofficesofstate，climbinguptobethecounselorsofkings，andshapingthepolicyofnations。Theybecameservantstoactasspiesupontheirmasters。Theyestablishedcollegesforthesonsofprincesandnobles，andschoolsforthecommonpeople；andthechildrenofProtestantparentsweredrawnintoanobservanceofpopishrites。AlltheoutwardpompanddisplayoftheRomishworshipwasbroughttobeartoconfusethemindanddazzleandcaptivatetheimagination，andthusthelibertyforwhichthefathershadtoiledandbledwasbetrayedbythesons。TheJesuitsrapidlyspreadthemselvesoverEurope，andwherevertheywent，therefollowedarevivalofpopery。
Togivethemgreaterpower，abullwasissuedre-establishingtheinquisition。(SeeAppendix。)Notwithstandingthegeneralabhorrencewithwhichitwasregarded，eveninCatholiccountries，thisterribletribunalwasagainsetupbypopishrulers，andatrocitiestooterribletobearthelightofdaywererepeatedinitssecretdungeons。Inmanycountries，thousandsuponthousandsoftheveryflowerofthenation，thepurestandnoblest，themostintellectualandhighlyeducated，piousanddevotedpastors，industriousandpatrioticcitizens，brilliantscholars，talentedartists，skillfulartisans，wereslainorforcedtofleetootherlands。
SuchwerethemeanswhichRomehadinvokedtoquenchthelightoftheReformation，towithdrawfrommentheBible，andtorestoretheignoranceandsuperstitionoftheDark236
Ages。ButunderGod’sblessingandthelaborsofthosenoblemenwhomHehadraiseduptosucceedLuther，Protestantismwasnotoverthrown。Nottothefavororarmsofprinceswasittooweitsstrength。Thesmallestcountries，thehumblestandleastpowerfulnations，becameitsstrongholds。ItwaslittleGenevainthemidstofmightyfoesplottingherdestruction；itwasHollandonhersandbanksbythenorthernsea，wrestlingagainstthetyrannyofSpain，thenthegreatestandmostopulentofkingdoms；itwasbleak，sterileSweden，thatgainedvictoriesfortheReformation。
FornearlythirtyyearsCalvinlaboredatGeneva，firsttoestablishthereachurchadheringtothemoralityoftheBible，andthenfortheadvancementoftheReformationthroughoutEurope。Hiscourseasapublicleaderwasnotfaultless，norwerehisdoctrinesfreefromerror。Buthewasinstrumentalinpromulgatingtruthsthatwereofspecialimportanceinhistime，inmaintainingtheprinciplesofProtestantismagainstthefast-returningtideofpopery，andinpromotinginthereformedchurchessimplicityandpurityoflife，inplaceoftheprideandcorruptionfosteredundertheRomishteaching。
FromGeneva，publicationsandteacherswentouttospreadthereformeddoctrines。Tothispointthepersecutedofalllandslookedforinstruction，counsel，andencouragement。ThecityofCalvinbecamearefugeforthehuntedReformersofallWesternEurope。Fleeingfromtheawfultempeststhatcontinuedforcenturies，thefugitivescametothegatesofGeneva。
Starving，wounded，bereftofhomeandkindred，theywerewarmlywelcomedandtenderlycaredfor；andfindingahomehere，theyblessedthecityoftheiradoptionbytheirskill，theirlearning，andtheirpiety。ManywhosoughtherearefugereturnedtotheirowncountriestoresistthetyrannyofRome。
JohnKnox，thebraveScotchReformer，notafewoftheEnglishPuritans，theProtestantsofHollandandofSpain，andtheHuguenotsofFrancecarriedfromGenevathetorchoftruthtolightenthedarknessoftheirnativelands。
(237)
Chapter13
TheNetherlandsandScandinaviaInTheNetherlandsthepapaltyrannyveryearlycalledforthresoluteprotest。SevenhundredyearsbeforeLuther’stimetheRomanpontiffwasthusfearlesslyimpeachedbytwobishops，who，havingbeensentonanembassytoRome，hadlearnedthetruecharacterofthe\"holysee\":God\"hasmadeHisqueenandspouse，thechurch，anobleandeverlastingprovisionforherfamily，withadowrythatisneitherfadingnorcorruptible，andgivenheraneternalcrownandscepter；……allwhichbenefitsyoulikeathiefintercept。YousetupyourselfinthetempleofGod；insteadofapastor，youarebecomeawolftothesheep；……youwouldmakeusbelieveyouareasupremebishop，butyouratherbehavelikeatyrant……Whereasyououghttobeaservantofservants，asyoucallyourself，youendeavortobecomealordoflords……YoubringthecommandsofGodintocontempt……TheHolyGhostisthebuilderofallchurchesasfarastheearthextends……ThecityofourGod，ofwhichwearethecitizens，reachestoalltheregionsoftheheavens；anditisgreaterthanthecity，bytheholyprophetsnamedBabylon，whichpretendstobedivine，winsherselftoheaven，andbragsthatherwisdomisimmortal；andfinally，thoughwithoutreason，thatsheneverdiderr，norevercan。\"——GerardBrandt，HistoryoftheReformationinandAbouttheLowCountries，b。1，p。6。
238
Othersarosefromcenturytocenturytoechothisprotest。Andthoseearlyteacherswho，traversingdifferentlandsandknownbyvariousnames，borethecharacteroftheVaudoismissionaries，andspreadeverywheretheknowledgeofthegospel，penetratedtotheNetherlands。Theirdoctrinesspreadrapidly。TheWaldensianBibletheytranslatedinverseintotheDutchlanguage。Theydeclared\"thattherewasgreatadvantageinit；nojests，nofables，notrifles，nodeceits，butthewordsoftruth；thatindeedtherewashereandthereahardcrust，butthatthemarrowandsweetnessofwhatwasgoodandholymightbeeasilydiscoveredinit。\"——Ibid。，b。1，p。14。
Thuswrotethefriendsoftheancientfaith，inthetwelfthcentury。
NowbegantheRomishpersecutions；butinthemidstoffagotsandtorturethebelieverscontinuedtomultiply，steadfastlydeclaringthattheBibleistheonlyinfallibleauthorityinreligion，andthat\"nomanshouldbecoercedtobelieve，butshouldbewonbypreaching。\"——Martyn，vol。2，p。87。
TheteachingsofLutherfoundacongenialsoilintheNetherlands，andearnestandfaithfulmenarosetopreachthegospel。FromoneoftheprovincesofHollandcameMennoSimons。EducatedaRomanCatholicandordainedtothepriesthood，hewaswhollyignorantoftheBible，andhewouldnotreaditforfearofbeingbeguiledintoheresy。Whenadoubtconcerningthedoctrineoftransubstantiationforceditselfuponhim，heregardeditasatemptationfromSatan，andbyprayerandconfessionsoughttofreehimselffromit；butinvain。Byminglinginscenesofdissipationheendeavoredtosilencetheaccusingvoiceofconscience；butwithoutavail。AfteratimehewasledtothestudyoftheNewTestament，andthis，withLuther’swritings，causedhimtoacceptthereformedfaith。Hesoonafterwitnessedinaneighboringvillagethebeheadingofamanwhowasputtodeathforhavingbeenrebaptized。ThisledhimtostudytheBibleinregardtoinfantbaptism。HecouldfindnoevidenceforitintheScriptures，butsawthatrepentanceandfaithare239
everywhererequiredastheconditionofreceivingbaptism。
MennowithdrewfromtheRomanChurchanddevotedhislifetoteachingthetruthswhichhehadreceived。InbothGermanyandtheNetherlandsaclassoffanaticshadrisen，advocatingabsurdandseditiousdoctrines，outragingorderanddecency，andproceedingtoviolenceandinsurrection。Mennosawthehorribleresultstowhichthesemovementswouldinevitablylead，andhestrenuouslyopposedtheerroneousteachingsandwildschemesofthefanatics。Thereweremany，however，whohadbeenmisledbythesefanatics，butwhohadrenouncedtheirperniciousdoctrines；andtherewerestillremainingmanydescendantsoftheancientChristians，thefruitsoftheWaldensianteaching。AmongtheseclassesMennolaboredwithgreatzealandsuccess。
Fortwenty-fiveyearshetraveled，withhiswifeandchildren，enduringgreathardshipsandprivations，andfrequentlyinperilofhislife。HetraversedtheNetherlandsandnorthernGermany，laboringchieflyamongthehumblerclassesbutexertingawidespreadinfluence。Naturallyeloquent，thoughpossessingalimitededucation，hewasamanofunwaveringintegrity，ofhumblespiritandgentlemanners，andofsincereandearnestpiety，exemplifyinginhisownlifethepreceptswhichhetaught，andhecommandedtheconfidenceofthepeople。Hisfollowerswerescatteredandoppressed。
TheysufferedgreatlyfrombeingconfoundedwiththefanaticalMunsterites。
Yetgreatnumberswereconvertedunderhislabors。
NowherewerethereformeddoctrinesmoregenerallyreceivedthanintheNetherlands。Infewcountriesdidtheiradherentsenduremoreterriblepersecution。InGermanyCharlesVhadbannedtheReformation，andhewouldgladlyhavebroughtallitsadherentstothestake；buttheprincesstoodupasabarrieragainsthistyranny。IntheNetherlandshispowerwasgreater，andpersecutingedictsfollowedeachotherinquicksuccession。ToreadtheBible，tohearorpreach240
it，oreventospeakconcerningit，wastoincurthepenaltyofdeathbythestake。TopraytoGodinsecret，torefrainfrombowingtoanimage，ortosingapsalm，wasalsopunishablewithdeath。Eventhosewhoshouldabjuretheirerrorswerecondemned，ifmen，todiebythesword；ifwomen，tobeburiedalive。ThousandsperishedunderthereignofCharlesandofPhilipII。
Atonetimeawholefamilywasbroughtbeforetheinquisitors，chargedwithremainingawayfrommassandworshipingathome。Onhisexaminationastotheirpracticesinsecrettheyoungestsonanswered:\"Wefallonourknees，andpraythatGodmayenlightenourmindsandpardonoursins；weprayforoursovereign，thathisreignmaybeprosperousandhislifehappy；weprayforourmagistrates，thatGodmaypreservethem。\"——Wylie，b。18，ch。6。Someofthejudgesweredeeplymoved，yetthefatherandoneofhissonswerecondemnedtothestake。
Therageofthepersecutorswasequaledbythefaithofthemartyrs。Notonlymenbutdelicatewomenandyoungmaidensdisplayedunflinchingcourage。
\"Wiveswouldtaketheirstandbytheirhusband’sstake，andwhilehewasenduringthefiretheywouldwhisperwordsofsolace，orsingpsalmstocheerhim。\"\"Youngmaidenswouldliedownintheirlivinggraveasiftheywereenteringintotheirchamberofnightlysleep；orgoforthtothescaffoldandthefire，dressedintheirbestapparel，asiftheyweregoingtotheirmarriage。\"——Ibid。，b。18，ch。6。
Asinthedayswhenpaganismsoughttodestroythegospel，thebloodoftheChristianswasseed。(SeeTertullian，Apology，paragraph50。)Persecutionservedtoincreasethenumberofwitnessesforthetruth。Yearafteryearthemonarch，stungtomadnessbytheunconquerabledeterminationofthepeople，urgedonhiscruelwork；butinvain。UnderthenobleWilliamofOrangetheRevolutionatlastbroughttoHollandfreedomtoworshipGod。
InthemountainsofPiedmont，ontheplainsofFranceandtheshoresofHolland，theprogressofthegospelwas241
markedwiththebloodofitsdisciples。ButinthecountriesoftheNorthitfoundapeacefulentrance。StudentsatWittenberg，returningtotheirhomes，carriedthereformedfaithtoScandinavia。ThepublicationofLuther’swritingsalsospreadthelight。Thesimple，hardypeopleoftheNorthturnedfromthecorruption，thepomp，andthesuperstitionsofRome，towelcomethepurity，thesimplicity，andthelife-givingtruthsoftheBible。
Tausen，\"theReformerofDenmark，\"wasapeasant’sson。Theboyearlygaveevidenceofvigorousintellect；hethirstedforaneducation；butthiswasdeniedhimbythecircumstancesofhisparents，andheenteredacloister。
Herethepurityofhislife，togetherwithhisdiligenceandfidelity，wonthefavorofhissuperior。Examinationshowedhimtopossesstalentthatpromisedatsomefuturedaygoodservicetothechurch。ItwasdeterminedtogivehimaneducationatsomeoneoftheuniversitiesofGermanyortheNetherlands。Theyoungstudentwasgrantedpermissiontochooseaschoolforhimself，withoneproviso，thathemustnotgotoWittenberg。Thescholarofthechurchwasnottobeendangeredbythepoisonofheresy。Sosaidthefriars。
TausenwenttoCologne，whichwasthen，asnow，oneofthestrongholdsofRomanism。Herehesoonbecamedisgustedwiththemysticismsoftheschoolmen。AboutthesametimeheobtainedLuther’swritings。Hereadthemwithwonderanddelight，andgreatlydesiredtoenjoythepersonalinstructionoftheReformer。Buttodosohemustriskgivingoffensetohismonasticsuperiorandforfeitinghissupport。Hisdecisionwassoonmade，anderelonghewasenrolledasastudentatWittenberg。
OnreturningtoDenmark，heagainrepairedtohiscloister。NooneasyetsuspectedhimofLutheranism；hedidnotrevealhissecret，butendeavored，withoutexcitingtheprejudicesofhiscompanions，toleadthemtoapurerfaithandaholierlife。HeopenedtheBible，andexplaineditstruemeaning，andatlastpreachedChristtothemasthesinner’srighteousnessandhisonlyhopeofsalvation。Greatwasthe242
wrathoftheprior，whohadbuilthighhopesuponhimasavaliantdefenderofRome。Hewasatonceremovedfromhisownmonasterytoanotherandconfinedtohiscellunderstrictsupervision。
TotheterrorofhisnewguardiansseveralofthemonkssoondeclaredthemselvesconvertstoProtestantism。ThroughthebarsofhiscellTausenhadcommunicatedtohiscompanionsaknowledgeofthetruth。HadthoseDanishfathersbeenskilledinthechurch’splanofdealingwithheresy，Tausen’svoicewouldneveragainhavebeenheard；butinsteadofconsigninghimtoatombinsomeundergrounddungeon，theyexpelledhimfromthemonastery。Nowtheywerepowerless。Aroyaledict，justissued，offeredprotectiontotheteachersofthenewdoctrine。Tausenbegantopreach。Thechurcheswereopenedtohim，andthepeoplethrongedtolisten。OthersalsowerepreachingthewordofGod。TheNewTestament，translatedintotheDanishtongue，waswidelycirculated。Theeffortsmadebythepapiststooverthrowtheworkresultedinextendingit，anderelongDenmarkdeclareditsacceptanceofthereformedfaith。
InSweden，also，youngmenwhohaddrunkfromthewellofWittenbergcarriedthewateroflifetotheircountrymen。TwooftheleadersintheSwedishReformation，OlafandLaurentiusPetri，thesonsofablacksmithofOrebro，studiedunderLutherandMelanchthon，andthetruthswhichtheythuslearnedtheywerediligenttoteach。LikethegreatReformer，Olafarousedthepeoplebyhiszealandeloquence，whileLaurentius，likeMelanchthon，waslearned，thoughtful，andcalm。Bothweremenofardentpiety，ofhightheologicalattainments，andofunflinchingcourageinadvancingthetruth。
Papistoppositionwasnotlacking。TheCatholicprieststirreduptheignorantandsuperstitiouspeople。OlafPetriwasoftenassailedbythemob，anduponseveraloccasionsbarelyescapedwithhislife。TheseReformerswere，however，favoredandprotectedbytheking。
243
UndertheruleoftheRomanChurchthepeopleweresunkeninpovertyandgrounddownbyoppression。TheyweredestituteoftheScriptures；andhavingareligionofmeresignsandceremonies，whichconveyednolighttothemind，theywerereturningtothesuperstitiousbeliefsandpaganpracticesoftheirheathenancestors。Thenationwasdividedintocontendingfactions，whoseperpetualstrifeincreasedthemiseryofall。Thekingdetermineduponareformationinthestateandthechurch，andhewelcomedtheseableassistantsinthebattleagainstRome。
InthepresenceofthemonarchandtheleadingmenofSweden，OlafPetriwithgreatabilitydefendedthedoctrinesofthereformedfaithagainsttheRomishchampions。HedeclaredthattheteachingsoftheFathersaretobereceivedonlywheninaccordancewiththeScriptures；thattheessentialdoctrinesofthefaitharepresentedintheBibleinaclearandsimplemanner，sothatallmenmayunderstandthem。Christsaid，\"MydoctrineisnotMine，butHisthatsentMe\"(John7:16)；andPauldeclaredthatshouldhepreachanyothergospelthanthatwhichhehadreceived，hewouldbeaccursed(Galatians1:8)。\"How，then，\"saidtheReformer，\"shallotherspresumetoenactdogmasattheirpleasure，andimposethemasthingsnecessarytosalvation？\"——Wylie，b。10，ch。4。HeshowedthatthedecreesofthechurchareofnoauthoritywheninoppositiontothecommandsofGod，andmaintainedthegreatProtestantprinciplethat\"theBibleandtheBibleonly\"istheruleoffaithandpractice。
Thiscontest，thoughconducteduponastagecomparativelyobscure，servestoshowus\"thesortofmenthatformedtherankandfileofthearmyoftheReformers。Theywerenotilliterate，sectarian，noisycontroversialists——farfromit；theyweremenwhohadstudiedthewordofGod，andknewwellhowtowieldtheweaponswithwhichthearmoryoftheBiblesuppliedthem。Inrespectoferuditiontheywereaheadoftheirage。WhenweconfineourattentiontosuchbrilliantcentersasWittenbergandZurich，andtosuchillustrious244
namesasthoseofLutherandMelanchthon，ofZwingliandOecolampadius，weareapttobetold，theseweretheleadersofthemovement，andweshouldnaturallyexpectinthemprodigiouspowerandvastacquisitions；butthesubordinateswerenotlikethese。Well，weturntotheobscuretheaterofSweden，andthehumblenamesofOlafandLaurentiusPetri——fromthemasterstothedisciples——whatdowefind？……Scholarsandtheologians；menwhohavethoroughlymasteredthewholesystemofgospeltruth，andwhowinaneasyvictoryoverthesophistsoftheschoolsandthedignitariesofRome。\"——Ibid。，b。10，ch。4。
AstheresultofthisdisputationthekingofSwedenacceptedtheProtestantfaith，andnotlongafterwardthenationalassemblydeclaredinitsfavor。
TheNewTestamenthadbeentranslatedbyOlafPetriintotheSwedishlanguage，andatthedesireofthekingthetwobrothersundertookthetranslationofthewholeBible。ThusforthefirsttimethepeopleofSwedenreceivedthewordofGodintheirnativetongue。ItwasorderedbytheDietthatthroughoutthekingdom，ministersshouldexplaintheScripturesandthatthechildrenintheschoolsshouldbetaughttoreadtheBible。
Steadilyandsurelythedarknessofignoranceandsuperstitionwasdispelledbytheblessedlightofthegospel。FreedfromRomishoppression，thenationattainedtoastrengthandgreatnessithadneverbeforereached。SwedenbecameoneofthebulwarksofProtestantism。Acenturylater，atatimeofsorestperil，thissmallandhithertofeeblenation——theonlyoneinEuropethatdaredlendahelpinghand——cametothedeliveranceofGermanyintheterriblestruggleoftheThirtyYears’War。AllNorthernEuropeseemedabouttobebroughtagainunderthetyrannyofRome。ItwasthearmiesofSwedenthatenabledGermanytoturnthetideofpopishsuccess，towintolerationfortheProtestants，——CalvinistsaswellasLutherans，——andtorestorelibertyofconsciencetothosecountriesthathadacceptedtheReformation。
(245)
Chapter14
LaterEnglishReformersWhileLutherwasopeningaclosedBibletothepeopleofGermany，TyndalewasimpelledbytheSpiritofGodtodothesameforEngland。Wycliffe’sBiblehadbeentranslatedfromtheLatintext，whichcontainedmanyerrors。
Ithadneverbeenprinted，andthecostofmanuscriptcopieswassogreatthatfewbutwealthymenornoblescouldprocureit；and，furthermore，beingstrictlyproscribedbythechurch，ithadhadacomparativelynarrowcirculation。In1516，ayearbeforetheappearanceofLuther’stheses，ErasmushadpublishedhisGreekandLatinversionoftheNewTestament。NowforthefirsttimethewordofGodwasprintedintheoriginaltongue。Inthisworkmanyerrorsofformerversionswerecorrected，andthesensewasmoreclearlyrendered。Itledmanyamongtheeducatedclassestoabetterknowledgeofthetruth，andgaveanewimpetustotheworkofreform。Butthecommonpeoplewerestill，toagreatextent，debarredfromGod’sword。
TyndalewastocompletetheworkofWycliffeingivingtheBibletohiscountrymen。
Adiligentstudentandanearnestseekerfortruth，hehadreceivedthegospelfromtheGreekTestamentofErasmus。Hefearlesslypreachedhisconvictions，urgingthatalldoctrinesbetestedbytheScriptures。TothepapistclaimthatthechurchhadgiventheBible，andthechurchalonecouldexplainit，Tyndaleresponded:\"Doyouknowwhotaught246
theeaglestofindtheirprey？Well，thatsameGodteachesHishungrychildrentofindtheirFatherinHisword。FarfromhavinggivenustheScriptures，itisyouwhohavehiddenthemfromus；itisyouwhoburnthosewhoteachthem，andifyoucould，youwouldburntheScripturesthemselves。\"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationoftheSixteenthCentury，b。18，ch。4。
Tyndale’spreachingexcitedgreatinterest；manyacceptedthetruth。Butthepriestswereonthealert，andnosoonerhadheleftthefieldthantheybytheirthreatsandmisrepresentationsendeavoredtodestroyhiswork。Toooftentheysucceeded。\"Whatistobedone？\"heexclaimed。\"WhileIamsowinginoneplace，theenemyravagesthefieldIhavejustleft。Icannotbeeverywhere。Oh！ifChristianspossessedtheHolyScripturesintheirowntongue，theycouldofthemselveswithstandthesesophists。WithouttheBibleitisimpossibletoestablishthelaityinthetruth。\"——Ibid。，b。18，ch。4。
Anewpurposenowtookpossessionofhismind。\"ItwasinthelanguageofIsrael，\"saidhe，\"thatthepsalmsweresunginthetempleofJehovah；andshallnotthegospelspeakthelanguageofEnglandamongus？……Oughtthechurchtohavelesslightatnoondaythanatthedawn？……ChristiansmustreadtheNewTestamentintheirmothertongue。\"Thedoctorsandteachersofthechurchdisagreedamongthemselves。OnlybytheBiblecouldmenarriveatthetruth。\"Oneholdeththisdoctor，anotherthat……Noweachoftheseauthorscontradictstheother。Howthencanwedistinguishhimwhosaysrightfromhimwhosayswrong？……How？……VerilybyGod’sword。\"——Ibid。，b。18，ch。4。
ItwasnotlongafterthatalearnedCatholicdoctor，engagingincontroversywithhim，exclaimed:\"WewerebettertobewithoutGod’slawsthanthepope’s。\"Tyndalereplied:\"Idefythepopeandallhislaws；andifGodsparemylife，eremanyyearsIwillcauseaboythatdriveththeplowtoknowmoreoftheScripturethanyoudo。\"——Anderson，AnnalsoftheEnglishBible，page19。
Thepurposewhichhehadbeguntocherish，ofgivingto247
thepeopletheNewTestamentScripturesintheirownlanguage，wasnowconfirmed，andheimmediatelyappliedhimselftothework。Drivenfromhishomebypersecution，hewenttoLondon，andthereforatimepursuedhislaborsundisturbed。Butagaintheviolenceofthepapistsforcedhimtoflee。AllEnglandseemedclosedagainsthim，andheresolvedtoseekshelterinGermany。HerehebegantheprintingoftheEnglishNewTestament。Twicetheworkwasstopped；butwhenforbiddentoprintinonecity，hewenttoanother。AtlasthemadehiswaytoWorms，where，afewyearsbefore，LutherhaddefendedthegospelbeforetheDiet。InthatancientcityweremanyfriendsoftheReformation，andTyndalethereprosecutedhisworkwithoutfurtherhindrance。ThreethousandcopiesoftheNewTestamentweresoonfinished，andanothereditionfollowedinthesameyear。
Withgreatearnestnessandperseverancehecontinuedhislabors。
NotwithstandingtheEnglishauthoritieshadguardedtheirportswiththestrictestvigilance，thewordofGodwasinvariouswayssecretlyconveyedtoLondonandthencecirculatedthroughoutthecountry。Thepapistsattemptedtosuppressthetruth，butinvain。ThebishopofDurhamatonetimeboughtofabooksellerwhowasafriendofTyndalehiswholestockofBibles，forthepurposeofdestroyingthem，supposingthatthiswouldgreatlyhinderthework。But，onthecontrary，themoneythusfurnished，purchasedmaterialforanewandbetteredition，which，butforthis，couldnothavebeenpublished。WhenTyndalewasafterwardmadeaprisoner，hislibertywasofferedhimonconditionthathewouldrevealthenamesofthosewhohadhelpedhimmeettheexpenseofprintinghisBibles。HerepliedthatthebishopofDurhamhaddonemorethananyotherperson；forbypayingalargepriceforthebooksleftonhand，hehadenabledhimtogoonwithgoodcourage。
Tyndalewasbetrayedintothehandsofhisenemies，andatonetimesufferedimprisonmentformanymonths。Hefinallywitnessedforhisfaithbyamartyr’sdeath；buttheweaponswhichhepreparedhaveenabledothersoldiers248
todobattlethroughallthecenturieseventoourtime。
LatimermaintainedfromthepulpitthattheBibleoughttobereadinthelanguageofthepeople。TheAuthorofHolyScripture，saidhe，\"isGodHimself；\"andthisScripturepartakesofthemightandeternityofitsAuthor。\"Thereisnoking，emperor，magistrate，andruler……butareboundtoobey……Hisholyword。\"\"Letusnottakeanybywalks，butletGod’sworddirectus:letusnotwalkafter……ourforefathers，norseeknotwhattheydid，butwhattheyshouldhavedone。\"——HughLatimer，\"FirstSermonPreachedBeforeKingEdwardVI。\"
BarnesandFrith，thefaithfulfriendsofTyndale，arosetodefendthetruth。TheRidleysandCranmerfollowed。TheseleadersintheEnglishReformationweremenoflearning，andmostofthemhadbeenhighlyesteemedforzealorpietyintheRomishcommunion。Theiroppositiontothepapacywastheresultoftheirknowledgeoftheerrorsofthe\"holysee。\"TheiracquaintancewiththemysteriesofBabylongavegreaterpowertotheirtestimoniesagainsther。
\"NowIwouldaskastrangequestion，\"saidLatimer。\"WhoisthemostdiligentbishopandprelateinallEngland？……IseeyoulisteningandhearkeningthatIshouldnamehim……Iwilltellyou:itisthedevil……Heisneveroutofhisdiocese；callforhimwhenyouwill，heiseverathome；……heiseverathisplow……Yeshallneverfindhimidle，I
warrantyou……Wherethedevilisresident，……thereawaywithbooks，andupwithcandles；awaywithBibles，andupwithbeads；awaywiththelightofthegospel，andupwiththelightofcandles，yea，atnoondays；……downwithChrist’scross，upwithpurgatorypickpurse；……awaywithclothingthenaked，thepoor，andimpotent，upwithdeckingofimagesandgaygarnishingofstocksandstones；upwithman’straditionsandhislaws，downwithGod’straditionsandHismostholyword……Othatourprelateswouldbeasdiligenttosowthecornofgooddoctrine，asSatanistosowcockleanddarnel！\"——Ibid。，\"SermonofthePlough。\"
249
ThegrandprinciplemaintainedbytheseReformers——thesamethathadbeenheldbytheWaldenses，byWycliffe，byJohnHuss，byLuther，Zwingli，andthosewhounitedwiththem——wastheinfallibleauthorityoftheHolyScripturesasaruleoffaithandpractice。Theydeniedtherightofpopes，councils，Fathers，andkings，tocontroltheconscienceinmattersofreligion。TheBiblewastheirauthority，andbyitsteachingtheytestedalldoctrinesandallclaims。FaithinGodandHiswordsustainedtheseholymenastheyyieldeduptheirlivesatthestake。\"Beofgoodcomfort，\"exclaimedLatimertohisfellowmartyrastheflameswereabouttosilencetheirvoices，\"weshallthisdaylightsuchacandle，byGod’sgrace，inEngland，asItrustshallneverbeputout。\"——WorksofHughLatimer，vol。1，p。
xiii。
InScotlandtheseedsoftruthscatteredbyColumbaandhiscolaborershadneverbeenwhollydestroyed。ForhundredsofyearsafterthechurchesofEnglandsubmittedtoRome，thoseofScotlandmaintainedtheirfreedom。Inthetwelfthcentury，however，poperybecameestablishedhere，andinnocountrydiditexerciseamoreabsolutesway。Nowherewasthedarknessdeeper。Stilltherecameraysoflighttopiercethegloomandgivepromiseofthecomingday。TheLollards，comingfromEnglandwiththeBibleandtheteachingsofWycliffe，didmuchtopreservetheknowledgeofthegospel，andeverycenturyhaditswitnessesandmartyrs。
WiththeopeningoftheGreatReformationcamethewritingsofLuther，andthenTyndale’sEnglishNewTestament。Unnoticedbythehierarchy，thesemessengerssilentlytraversedthemountainsandvalleys，kindlingintonewlifethetorchoftruthsonearlyextinguishedinScotland，andundoingtheworkwhichRomeforfourcenturiesofoppressionhaddone。
Thenthebloodofmartyrsgavefreshimpetustothemovement。Thepapistleaders，suddenlyawakeningtothedangerthatthreatenedtheircause，broughttothestakesomeofthe250
noblestandmosthonoredofthesonsofScotland。Theydidbuterectapulpit，fromwhichthewordsofthesedyingwitnesseswereheardthroughouttheland，thrillingthesoulsofthepeoplewithanundyingpurposetocastofftheshacklesofRome。
HamiltonandWishart，princelyincharacterasinbirth，withalonglineofhumblerdisciples，yieldeduptheirlivesatthestake。ButfromtheburningpileofWisharttherecameonewhomtheflameswerenottosilence，onewhounderGodwastostrikethedeathknellofpoperyinScotland。
JohnKnoxhadturnedawayfromthetraditionsandmysticismsofthechurch，tofeeduponthetruthsofGod’sword；andtheteachingofWisharthadconfirmedhisdeterminationtoforsakethecommunionofRomeandjoinhimselftothepersecutedReformers。
Urgedbyhiscompanionstotaketheofficeofpreacher，heshrankwithtremblingfromitsresponsibility，anditwasonlyafterdaysofseclusionandpainfulconflictwithhimselfthatheconsented。Buthavingonceacceptedtheposition，hepressedforwardwithinflexibledeterminationandundauntedcourageaslongaslifecontinued。ThistrueheartedReformerfearednotthefaceofman。Thefiresofmartyrdom，blazingaroundhim，servedonlytoquickenhiszealtogreaterintensity。Withthetyrant’saxheldmenacinglyoverhishead，hestoodhisground，strikingsturdyblowsontherighthandandonthelefttodemolishidolatry。
WhenbroughtfacetofacewiththequeenofScotland，inwhosepresencethezealofmanyaleaderoftheProtestantshadabated，JohnKnoxboreunswervingwitnessforthetruth。Hewasnottobewonbycaresses；hequailednotbeforethreats。Thequeenchargedhimwithheresy。Hehadtaughtthepeopletoreceiveareligionprohibitedbythestate，shedeclared，andhadthustransgressedGod’scommandenjoiningsubjectstoobeytheirprinces。Knoxansweredfirmly:
\"Asrightreligiontookneitheroriginalstrengthnorauthorityfromworldlyprinces，butfromtheeternalGodalone，soarenotsubjectsboundtoframetheirreligion251
accordingtotheappetitesoftheirprinces。ForoftitisthatprincesarethemostignorantofallothersinGod’struereligion……IfalltheseedofAbrahamhadbeenofthereligionofPharaoh，whosesubjectstheylongwere，Iprayyou，madam，whatreligionwouldtherehavebeenintheworld？OrifallmeninthedaysoftheapostleshadbeenofthereligionoftheRomanemperors，whatreligionwouldtherehavebeenuponthefaceoftheearth？……Andso，madam，yemayperceivethatsubjectsarenotboundtothereligionoftheirprinces，albeittheyarecommandedtogivethemobedience。\"
SaidMary:\"YeinterprettheScripturesinonemanner，andthey[theRomanCatholicteachers]interpretinanother；whomshallIbelieve，andwhoshallbejudge？\"
\"YeshallbelieveGod，thatplainlyspeakethinHisword，\"answeredtheReformer；\"andfartherthanthewordteachesyou，yeneithershallbelievetheonenortheother。ThewordofGodisplaininitself；andifthereappearanyobscurityinoneplace，theHolyGhost，whichisnevercontrarytoHimself，explainsthesamemoreclearlyinotherplaces，sothattherecanremainnodoubtbutuntosuchasobstinatelyremainignorant。\"——DavidLaing，TheCollectedWorksofJohnKnox，vol。2，pp。281，284。
SuchwerethetruthsthatthefearlessReformer，attheperilofhislife，spokeintheearofroyalty。Withthesameundauntedcouragehekepttohispurpose，prayingandfightingthebattlesoftheLord，untilScotlandwasfreefrompopery。
InEnglandtheestablishmentofProtestantismasthenationalreligiondiminished，butdidnotwhollystop，persecution。WhilemanyofthedoctrinesofRomehadbeenrenounced，notafewofitsformswereretained。
Thesupremacyofthepopewasrejected，butinhisplacethemonarchwasenthronedastheheadofthechurch。Intheserviceofthechurchtherewasstillawidedeparturefromthepurityandsimplicityofthegospel。Thegreatprincipleofreligiouslibertywasnotyetunderstood。Thoughthe252
horriblecrueltieswhichRomeemployedagainstheresywereresortedtobutrarelybyProtestantrulers，yettherightofeverymantoworshipGodaccordingtothedictatesofhisownconsciencewasnotacknowledged。Allwererequiredtoacceptthedoctrinesandobservetheformsofworshipprescribedbytheestablishedchurch。Dissenterssufferedpersecution，toagreaterorlessextent，forhundredsofyears。
Intheseventeenthcenturythousandsofpastorswereexpelledfromtheirpositions。Thepeoplewereforbidden，onpainofheavyfines，imprisonment，andbanishment，toattendanyreligiousmeetingsexceptsuchasweresanctionedbythechurch。ThosefaithfulsoulswhocouldnotrefrainfromgatheringtoworshipGodwerecompelledtomeetindarkalleys，inobscuregarrets，andatsomeseasonsinthewoodsatmidnight。Intheshelteringdepthsoftheforest，atempleofGod’sownbuilding，thosescatteredandpersecutedchildrenoftheLordassembledtopourouttheirsoulsinprayerandpraise。Butdespitealltheirprecautions，manysufferedfortheirfaith。Thejailswerecrowded。Familieswerebrokenup。Manywerebanishedtoforeignlands。YetGodwaswithHispeople，andpersecutioncouldnotprevailtosilencetheirtestimony。ManyweredrivenacrosstheoceantoAmericaandherelaidthefoundationsofcivilandreligiouslibertywhichhavebeenthebulwarkandgloryofthiscountry。
Again，asinapostolicdays，persecutionturnedouttothefurtheranceofthegospel。Inaloathsomedungeoncrowdedwithprofligatesandfelons，JohnBunyanbreathedtheveryatmosphereofheaven；andtherehewrotehiswonderfulallegoryofthepilgrim’sjourneyfromthelandofdestructiontothecelestialcity。ForovertwohundredyearsthatvoicefromBedfordjailhasspokenwiththrillingpowertotheheartsofmen。Bunyan’sPilgrim’sProgressandGraceAboundingtotheChiefofSinnershaveguidedmanyfeetintothepathoflife。
Baxter，Flavel，Alleine，andothermenoftalent，education，anddeepChristianexperiencestoodupinvaliantdefenseof253
thefaithwhichwasoncedeliveredtothesaints。Theworkaccomplishedbythesemen，proscribedandoutlawedbytherulersofthisworld，canneverperish。Flavel’sFountainofLifeandMethodofGracehavetaughtthousandshowtocommitthekeepingoftheirsoulstoChrist。Baxter’sReformedPastorhasprovedablessingtomanywhodesirearevivaloftheworkofGod，andhisSaints’EverlastingResthasdoneitsworkinleadingsoulstothe\"rest\"thatremainethforthepeopleofGod。
Ahundredyearslater，inadayofgreatspiritualdarkness，WhitefieldandtheWesleysappearedaslightbearersforGod。UndertheruleoftheestablishedchurchthepeopleofEnglandhadlapsedintoastateofreligiousdeclensionhardlytobedistinguishedfromheathenism。Naturalreligionwasthefavoritestudyoftheclergy，andincludedmostoftheirtheology。Thehigherclassessneeredatpiety，andpridedthemselvesonbeingabovewhattheycalleditsfanaticism。Thelowerclassesweregrosslyignorantandabandonedtovice，whilethechurchhadnocourageorfaithanylongertosupportthedownfallencauseoftruth。
Thegreatdoctrineofjustificationbyfaith，soclearlytaughtbyLuther，hadbeenalmostwhollylostsightof；andtheRomishprincipleoftrustingtogoodworksforsalvation，hadtakenitsplace。WhitefieldandtheWesleys，whoweremembersoftheestablishedchurch，weresincereseekersforthefavorofGod，andthistheyhadbeentaughtwastobesecuredbyavirtuouslifeandanobservanceoftheordinancesofreligion。
WhenCharlesWesleyatonetimefellill，andanticipatedthatdeathwasapproaching，hewasaskeduponwhatherestedhishopeofeternallife。Hisanswerwas:\"IhaveusedmybestendeavorstoserveGod。\"Asthefriendwhohadputthequestionseemednottobefullysatisfiedwithhisanswer，Wesleythought:\"What！arenotmyendeavorsasufficientgroundofhope？
Wouldherobmeofmyendeavors？Ihavenothingelsetotrustto。\"——JohnWhitehead，LifeoftheRev。CharlesWesley，page102。Suchwasthedensedarkness254
thathadsettleddownonthechurch，hidingtheatonement，robbingChristofHisglory，andturningthemindsofmenfromtheironlyhopeofsalvation——thebloodofthecrucifiedRedeemer。
Wesleyandhisassociateswereledtoseethattruereligionisseatedintheheart，andthatGod’slawextendstothethoughtsaswellastothewordsandactions。Convincedofthenecessityofholinessofheart，aswellascorrectnessofoutwarddeportment，theysetoutinearnestuponanewlife。Bythemostdiligentandprayerfuleffortstheyendeavoredtosubduetheevilsofthenaturalheart。Theylivedalifeofself-denial，charity，andhumiliation，observingwithgreatrigorandexactnesseverymeasurewhichtheythoughtcouldbehelpfultotheminobtainingwhattheymostdesired——thatholinesswhichcouldsecurethefavorofGod。Buttheydidnotobtaintheobjectwhichtheysought。Invainweretheirendeavorstofreethemselvesfromthecondemnationofsinortobreakitspower。ItwasthesamestrugglewhichLutherhadexperiencedinhiscellatErfurt。Itwasthesamequestionwhichhadtorturedhissoul——\"HowshouldmanbejustbeforeGod？\"Job。9:2。
Thefiresofdivinetruth，well-nighextinguisheduponthealtarsofProtestantism，weretoberekindledfromtheancienttorchhandeddowntheagesbytheBohemianChristians。AftertheReformation，ProtestantisminBohemiahadbeentrampledoutbythehordesofRome。Allwhorefusedtorenouncethetruthwereforcedtoflee。Someofthese，findingrefugeinSaxony，theremaintainedtheancientfaith。ItwasfromthedescendantsoftheseChristiansthatlightcametoWesleyandhisassociates。
JohnandCharlesWesley，afterbeingordainedtotheministry，weresentonamissiontoAmerica。OnboardtheshipwasacompanyofMoravians。Violentstormswereencounteredonthepassage，andJohnWesley，broughtfacetofacewithdeath，feltthathehadnottheassuranceofpeacewithGod。TheGermans，onthecontrary，manifestedacalmnessandtrusttowhichhewasastranger。
255
\"Ihadlongbefore，\"hesays，\"observedthegreatseriousnessoftheirbehavior。Oftheirhumilitytheyhadgivenacontinualproof，byperformingthoseservileofficesfortheotherpassengerswhichnoneoftheEnglishwouldundertake；forwhichtheydesiredandwouldreceivenopay，sayingitwasgoodfortheirproudhearts，andtheirlovingSaviourhaddonemoreforthem。Andeverydayhadgiventhemoccasionofshowingameeknesswhichnoinjurycouldmove。Iftheywerepushed，struck，orthrownabout，theyroseagainandwentaway；butnocomplaintwasfoundintheirmouth。Therewasnowanopportunityoftryingwhethertheyweredeliveredfromthespiritoffear，aswellasfromthatofpride，anger，andrevenge。Inthemidstofthepsalmwherewiththeirservicebegan，theseabrokeover，splitthemainsailinpieces，coveredtheship，andpouredinbetweenthedecksasifthegreatdeephadalreadyswallowedusup。AterriblescreamingbeganamongtheEnglish。TheGermanscalmlysangon。Iaskedoneofthemafterwards，’Wereyounotafraid？’Heanswered，’IthankGod，no。’Iasked，’Butwerenotyourwomenandchildrenafraid？’Herepliedmildly，’No；ourwomenandchildrenarenotafraidtodie。’\"——Whitehead，LifeoftheRev。JohnWesley，page10。
UponarrivinginSavannah，WesleyforashorttimeabodewiththeMoravians，andwasdeeplyimpressedwiththeirChristiandeportment。Ofoneoftheirreligiousservices，instrikingcontrasttothelifelessformalismoftheChurchofEngland，hewrote:\"Thegreatsimplicityaswellassolemnityofthewholealmostmademeforgettheseventeenhundredyearsbetween，andimaginemyselfinoneofthoseassemblieswhereformandstatewerenot；butPaul，thetentmaker，orPeter，thefisherman，presided；yetwiththedemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower。\"——Ibid。，pages11，12。
OnhisreturntoEngland，Wesley，undertheinstructionofaMoravianpreacher，arrivedataclearerunderstandingofBiblefaith。Hewasconvincedthathemustrenouncealldependenceuponhisownworksforsalvationandmusttrust256
whollyto\"theLambofGod，whichtakethawaythesinoftheworld。\"AtameetingoftheMoraviansocietyinLondonastatementwasreadfromLuther，describingthechangewhichtheSpiritofGodworksintheheartofthebeliever。AsWesleylistened，faithwaskindledinhissoul。\"Ifeltmyheartstrangelywarmed，\"hesays。\"IfeltIdidtrustinChrist，Christalone，forsalvation:andanassurancewasgivenme，thatHehadtakenawaymysins，evenmine，andsavedmefromthelawofsinanddeath。\"——Ibid。，page52。
Throughlongyearsofwearisomeandcomfortlessstriving——yearsofrigorousself-denial，ofreproachandhumiliation——WesleyhadsteadfastlyadheredtohisonepurposeofseekingGod。NowhehadfoundHim；andhefoundthatthegracewhichhehadtoiledtowinbyprayersandfasts，byalmsdeedsandself-abnegation，wasagift，\"withoutmoneyandwithoutprice。\"
OnceestablishedinthefaithofChrist，hiswholesoulburnedwiththedesiretospreadeverywhereaknowledgeofthegloriousgospelofGod’sfreegrace。\"Ilookuponalltheworldasmyparish，\"hesaid；\"inwhateverpartofitIam，Ijudgeitmeet，right，andmyboundenduty，todeclareuntoallthatarewillingtohear，thegladtidingsofsalvation。\"——Ibid。，page74。
Hecontinuedhisstrictandself-denyinglife，notnowastheground，buttheresultoffaith；nottheroot，butthefruitofholiness。ThegraceofGodinChrististhefoundationoftheChristian’shope，andthatgracewillbemanifestedinobedience。Wesley’slifewasdevotedtothepreachingofthegreattruthswhichhehadreceived——justificationthroughfaithintheatoningbloodofChrist，andtherenewingpoweroftheHolySpiritupontheheart，bringingforthfruitinalifeconformedtotheexampleofChrist。
WhitefieldandtheWesleyshadbeenpreparedfortheirworkbylongandsharppersonalconvictionsoftheirownlostcondition；andthattheymightbeabletoendurehardness257
asgoodsoldiersofChrist，theyhadbeensubjectedtothefieryordealofscorn，derision，andpersecution，bothintheuniversityandastheywereenteringtheministry。TheyandafewotherswhosympathizedwiththemwerecontemptuouslycalledMethodistsbytheirungodlyfellowstudents——anamewhichisatthepresenttimeregardedashonorablebyoneofthelargestdenominationsinEnglandandAmerica。
AsmembersoftheChurchofEnglandtheywerestronglyattachedtoherformsofworship，buttheLordhadpresentedbeforetheminHiswordahigherstandard。TheHolySpiriturgedthemtopreachChristandHimcrucified。ThepoweroftheHighestattendedtheirlabors。Thousandswereconvictedandtrulyconverted。Itwasnecessarythatthesesheepbeprotectedfromraveningwolves。Wesleyhadnothoughtofforminganewdenomination，butheorganizedthemunderwhatwascalledtheMethodistConnection。
Mysteriousandtryingwastheoppositionwhichthesepreachersencounteredfromtheestablishedchurch；yetGod，inHiswisdom，hadoverruledeventstocausethereformtobeginwithinthechurchitself。Haditcomewhollyfromwithout，itwouldnothavepenetratedwhereitwassomuchneeded。Butastherevivalpreacherswerechurchmen，andlaboredwithinthepaleofthechurchwherevertheycouldfindopportunity，thetruthhadanentrancewherethedoorswouldotherwisehaveremainedclosed。Someoftheclergywererousedfromtheirmoralstuporandbecamezealouspreachersintheirownparishes。Churchesthathadbeenpetrifiedbyformalismwerequickenedintolife。
InWesley’stime，asinallagesofthechurch’shistory，menofdifferentgiftsperformedtheirappointedwork。Theydidnotharmonizeuponeverypointofdoctrine，butallweremovedbytheSpiritofGod，andunitedintheabsorbingaimtowinsoulstoChrist。ThedifferencesbetweenWhitefieldandtheWesleysthreatenedatonetimetocreatealienation；
258
butastheylearnedmeeknessintheschoolofChrist，mutualforbearanceandcharityreconciledthem。Theyhadnotimetodispute，whileerrorandiniquitywereteemingeverywhere，andsinnersweregoingdowntoruin。
TheservantsofGodtrodaruggedpath。Menofinfluenceandlearningemployedtheirpowersagainstthem。Afteratimemanyoftheclergymanifesteddeterminedhostility，andthedoorsofthechurcheswereclosedagainstapurefaithandthosewhoproclaimedit。Thecourseoftheclergyindenouncingthemfromthepulpitarousedtheelementsofdarkness，ignorance，andiniquity。AgainandagaindidJohnWesleyescapedeathbyamiracleofGod’smercy。Whentherageofthemobwasexcitedagainsthim，andthereseemednowayofescape，anangelinhumanformcametohisside，themobfellback，andtheservantofChristpassedinsafetyfromtheplaceofdanger。
Ofhisdeliverancefromtheenragedmobononeoftheseoccasions，Wesleysaid:\"Manyendeavoredtothrowmedownwhileweweregoingdownhillonaslipperypathtothetown；aswelljudgingthatifIwasonceontheground，Ishouldhardlyriseanymore。ButImadenostumbleatall，northeleastslip，tillIwasentirelyoutoftheirhands……Althoughmanystrovetolayholdonmycollarorclothes，topullmedown，theycouldnotfastenatall:onlyonegotfastholdoftheflapofmywaistcoat，whichwassoonleftinhishand；theotherflap，inthepocketofwhichwasabanknote，wastornbuthalfoff……Alustymanjustbehind，struckatmeseveraltimes，withalargeoakenstick；withwhichifhehadstruckmeonceonthebackpartofmyhead，itwouldhavesavedhimallfurthertrouble。Buteverytime，theblowwasturnedaside，Iknownothow；forIcouldnotmovetotherighthandorleft……Anothercamerushingthroughthepress，andraisinghisarmtostrike，onasuddenletitdrop，andonlystrokedmyhead，saying，’Whatsofthairhehas！’……Theveryfirstmenwhoseheartswereturnedweretheheroesofthetown，thecaptainsoftherabbleonall259
occasions，oneofthemhavingbeenaprizefighteratthebeargardens……
\"ByhowgentledegreesdoesGodprepareusforHiswill！Twoyearsago，apieceofbrickgrazedmyshoulders。Itwasayearafterthatthestonestruckmebetweentheeyes。LastmonthIreceivedoneblow，andthiseveningtwo，onebeforewecameintothetown，andoneafterweweregoneout；butbothwereasnothing:forthoughonemanstruckmeonthebreastwithallhismight，andtheotheronthemouthwithsuchforcethatthebloodgushedoutimmediately，Ifeltnomorepainfromeitheroftheblowsthaniftheyhadtouchedmewithastraw。\"——JohnWesley，Works，vol。3，pp。297，298。
TheMethodistsofthoseearlydays——peopleaswellaspreachers——enduredridiculeandpersecution，alikefromchurchmembersandfromtheopenlyirreligiouswhowereinflamedbytheirmisrepresentations。Theywerearraignedbeforecourtsofjustice——suchonlyinname，forjusticewasrareinthecourtsofthattime。Oftentheysufferedviolencefromtheirpersecutors。Mobswentfromhousetohouse，destroyingfurnitureandgoods，plunderingwhatevertheychose，andbrutallyabusingmen，women，andchildren。Insomeinstances，publicnoticeswereposted，callinguponthosewhodesiredtoassistinbreakingthewindowsandrobbingthehousesoftheMethodists，toassembleatagiventimeandplace。Theseopenviolationsofbothhumananddivinelawwereallowedtopasswithoutareprimand。A
systematicpersecutionwascarriedonagainstapeoplewhoseonlyfaultwasthatofseekingtoturnthefeetofsinnersfromthepathofdestructiontothepathofholiness。
SaidJohnWesley，referringtothechargesagainsthimselfandhisassociates:\"Someallegethatthedoctrinesofthesemenarefalse，erroneous，andenthusiastic；thattheyarenewandunheard-oftilloflate；
thattheyareQuakerism，fanaticism，popery。Thiswholepretensehasbeenalreadycutupbytheroots，ithavingbeenshownatlargethateverybranchofthisdoctrineistheplaindoctrineofScriptureinterpreted260
byourownchurch。Thereforeitcannotbeeitherfalseorerroneous，providedtheScripturebetrue。\"\"Othersallege，\"Theirdoctrineistoostrict；theymakethewaytoheaventoonarrow。’Andthisisintruththeoriginalobjection，(asitwasalmosttheonlyoneforsometime，)andissecretlyatthebottomofathousandmore，whichappearinvariousforms。
ButdotheymakethewaytoheavenanynarrowerthanourLordandHisapostlesmadeit？IstheirdoctrinestricterthanthatoftheBible？
Consideronlyafewplaintexts:’ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart，andwithallthymind，andwithallthysoul，andwithallthystrength。’’Foreveryidlewordwhichmenshallspeak，theyshallgiveanaccountinthedayofjudgment。’’Whetheryeeat，ordrink，orwhateveryedo，doalltothegloryofGod。’
\"Iftheirdoctrineisstricterthanthis，theyaretoblame；butyouknowinyourconscienceitisnot。AndwhocanbeonejotlessstrictwithoutcorruptingthewordofGod？CananystewardofthemysteriesofGodbefoundfaithfulifhechangeanypartofthatsacreddepositum？No。Hecanabatenothing，hecansoftennothing；heisconstrainedtodeclaretoallmen，’I
maynotbringdowntheScripturetoyourtaste。Youmustcomeuptoit，orperishforever。’Thisistherealgroundofthatotherpopularcryconcerning’theuncharitablenessofthesemen。’Uncharitable，arethey？Inwhatrespect？Dotheynotfeedthehungryandclothethenaked？’No；thatisnotthething:theyarenotwantinginthis:buttheyaresouncharitableinjudging！theythinknonecanbesavedbutthoseoftheirownway。’\"——Ibid。，vol。3，pp。152，153。
ThespiritualdeclensionwhichhadbeenmanifestinEnglandjustbeforethetimeofWesleywasingreatdegreetheresultofantinomianteaching。ManyaffirmedthatChristhadabolishedthemorallawandthatChristiansarethereforeundernoobligationtoobserveit；thatabelieverisfreedfromthe\"bondageofgoodworks。\"Others，thoughadmitting261
theperpetuityofthelaw，declaredthatitwasunnecessaryforministerstoexhortthepeopletoobedienceofitsprecepts，sincethosewhomGodhadelectedtosalvationwould，\"bytheirresistibleimpulseofdivinegrace，beledtothepracticeofpietyandvirtue，\"whilethosewhoweredoomedtoeternalreprobation\"didnothavepowertoobeythedivinelaw。\"
Others，alsoholdingthat\"theelectcannotfallfromgracenorforfeitthedivinefavor，\"arrivedatthestillmorehideousconclusionthat\"thewickedactionstheycommitarenotreallysinful，nortobeconsideredasinstancesoftheirviolationofthedivinelaw，andthat，consequently，theyhavenooccasioneithertoconfesstheirsinsortobreakthemoffbyrepentance。\"——McClintockandStrong，Cyclopedia，art。\"Antinomians。\"
Therefore，theydeclaredthatevenoneofthevilestofsins，\"considereduniversallyanenormousviolationofthedivinelaw，isnotasininthesightofGod，\"ifcommittedbyoneoftheelect，\"becauseitisoneoftheessentialanddistinctivecharacteristicsoftheelect，thattheycannotdoanythingthatiseitherdispleasingtoGodorprohibitedbythelaw。\"
Thesemonstrousdoctrinesareessentiallythesameasthelaterteachingofpopulareducatorsandtheologians——thatthereisnounchangeabledivinelawasthestandardofright，butthatthestandardofmoralityisindicatedbysocietyitself，andhasconstantlybeensubjecttochange。Alltheseideasareinspiredbythesamemasterspirit——byhimwho，evenamongthesinlessinhabitantsofheaven，beganhisworkofseekingtobreakdowntherighteousrestraintsofthelawofGod。
Thedoctrineofthedivinedecrees，unalterablyfixingthecharacterofmen，hadledmanytoavirtualrejectionofthelawofGod。WesleysteadfastlyopposedtheerrorsoftheantinomianteachersandshowedthatthisdoctrinewhichledtoantinomianismwascontrarytotheScriptures。\"Thegrace262
ofGodthatbringethsalvationhathappearedtoallmen。\"\"ThisisgoodandacceptableinthesightofGodourSaviour；whowillhaveallmentobesaved，andtocomeuntotheknowledgeofthetruth。ForthereisoneGod，andonemediatorbetweenGodandmen，themanChristJesus；whogaveHimselfaransomforall。\"Titus2:11；1Timothy2:3-6。TheSpiritofGodisfreelybestowedtoenableeverymantolayholduponthemeansofsalvation。ThusChrist，\"thetrueLight，\"\"lightetheverymanthatcomethintotheworld。\"
John1:9。Menfailofsalvationthroughtheirownwillfulrefusalofthegiftoflife。
InanswertotheclaimthatatthedeathofChristthepreceptsoftheDecaloguehadbeenabolishedwiththeceremoniallaw，Wesleysaid:\"Themorallaw，containedintheTenCommandmentsandenforcedbytheprophets，Hedidnottakeaway。ItwasnotthedesignofHiscomingtorevokeanypartofthis。Thisisalawwhichnevercanbebroken，which’standsfastasthefaithfulwitnessinheaven。’……Thiswasfromthebeginningoftheworld，being’writtennotontablesofstone，’butontheheartsofallthechildrenofmen，whentheycameoutofthehandsoftheCreator。AndhoweverthelettersoncewrotebythefingerofGodarenowinagreatmeasuredefacedbysin，yetcantheynotwhollybeblottedout，whilewehaveanyconsciousnessofgoodandevil。Everypartofthislawmustremaininforceuponallmankind，andinallages；asnotdependingeitherontimeorplace，oranyothercircumstancesliabletochange，butonthenatureofGod，andthenatureofman，andtheirunchangeablerelationtoeachother。
\"’Iamnotcometodestroy，buttofulfill。’……Withoutquestion，Hismeaninginthisplaceis(consistentlywithallthatgoesbeforeandfollowsafter)，——Iamcometoestablishitinitsfullness，inspiteofalltheglossesofmen:Iamcometoplaceinafullandclearviewwhatsoeverwasdarkorobscuretherein:Iamcometodeclarethetrueandfullimportofeverypartofit；toshowthelengthandbreadth，theentireextent，ofeverycommandmentcontainedtherein，andthe263
heightanddepth，theinconceivablepurityandspiritualityofitinallitsbranches。\"——Wesley，sermon25。
Wesleydeclaredtheperfectharmonyofthelawandthegospel。\"Thereis，therefore，theclosestconnectionthatcanbeconceived，betweenthelawandthegospel。Ontheonehand，thelawcontinuallymakeswayfor，andpointsusto，thegospel；ontheother，thegospelcontinuallyleadsustoamoreexactfulfillingofthelaw。Thelaw，forinstance，requiresustoloveGod，toloveourneighbor，tobemeek，humble，orholy。Wefeelthatwearenotsufficientforthesethings；yea，that’withmanthisisimpossible；’butweseeapromiseofGodtogiveusthatlove，andtomakeushumble，meek，andholy:welayholdofthisgospel，ofthesegladtidings；itisdoneuntousaccordingtoourfaith；and’therighteousnessofthelawisfulfilledinus，’throughfaithwhichisinChristJesus……
\"InthehighestrankoftheenemiesofthegospelofChrist，\"saidWesley，\"aretheywhoopenlyandexplicitly’judgethelaw’itself，and’speakevilofthelaw；’whoteachmentobreak(todissolve，toloose，tountietheobligationof)notoneonly，whetheroftheleastorofthegreatest，butallthecommandmentsatastroke……Themostsurprisingofallthecircumstancesthatattendthisstrongdelusion，isthattheywhoaregivenuptoit，reallybelievethattheyhonorChristbyoverthrowingHislaw，andthattheyaremagnifyingHisofficewhiletheyaredestroyingHisdoctrine！
Yea，theyhonorHimjustasJudasdidwhenhesaid，’Hail，Master，andkissedHim。’AndHemayasjustlysaytoeveryoneofthem，’BetrayestthoutheSonofmanwithakiss？ItisnootherthanbetrayingHimwithakiss，totalkofHisblood，andtakeawayHiscrown；tosetlightbyanypartofHislaw，underpretenseofadvancingHisgospel。Norindeedcananyoneescapethischarge，whopreachesfaithinanysuchamanneraseitherdirectlyorindirectlytendstosetasideanybranchofobedience:whopreachesChristsoastodisannul，orweakeninanywise，theleastofthecommandmentsofGod。\"——Ibid。
