264
Tothosewhourgedthat\"thepreachingofthegospelanswersalltheendsofthelaw，\"Wesleyreplied:\"Thisweutterlydeny。Itdoesnotanswertheveryfirstendofthelaw，namely，theconvincingmenofsin，theawakeningthosewhoarestillasleeponthebrinkofhell。\"TheapostlePauldeclaresthat\"bythelawistheknowledgeofsin；\"\"andnotuntilmanisconvictedofsin，willhetrulyfeelhisneedoftheatoningbloodofChrist……’Theythatbewhole，’asourLordHimselfobserves，’neednotaphysician，buttheythataresick。’Itisabsurd，therefore，toofferaphysiciantothemthatarewhole，orthatatleastimaginethemselvessotobe。Youarefirsttoconvincethemthattheyaresick；otherwisetheywillnotthankyouforyourlabor。ItisequallyabsurdtoofferChristtothemwhoseheartiswhole，havingneveryetbeenbroken。\"——Ibid。，sermon35。
ThuswhilepreachingthegospelofthegraceofGod，Wesley，likehisMaster，soughtto\"magnifythelaw，andmakeithonorable。\"FaithfullydidheaccomplishtheworkgivenhimofGod，andgloriousweretheresultswhichhewaspermittedtobehold。Atthecloseofhislonglifeofmorethanfourscoreyears——abovehalfacenturyspentinitinerantministry——hisavowedadherentsnumberedmorethanhalfamillionsouls。Butthemultitudethatthroughhislaborshadbeenliftedfromtheruinanddegradationofsintoahigherandapurerlife，andthenumberwhobyhisteachinghadattainedtoadeeperandricherexperience，willneverbeknowntillthewholefamilyoftheredeemedshallbegatheredintothekingdomofGod。HislifepresentsalessonofpricelessworthtoeveryChristian。Wouldthatthefaithandhumility，theuntiringzeal，self-sacrifice，anddevotionofthisservantofChristmightbereflectedinthechurchesoftoday！
(265)
Chapter15
TheBibleandtheFrenchRevolutionInthesixteenthcenturytheReformation，presentinganopenBibletothepeople，hadsoughtadmissiontoallthecountriesofEurope。Somenationswelcomeditwithgladness，asamessengerofHeaven。Inotherlandsthepapacysucceededtoagreatextentinpreventingitsentrance；andthelightofBibleknowledge，withitselevatinginfluences，wasalmostwhollyexcluded。Inonecountry，thoughthelightfoundentrance，itwasnotcomprehendedbythedarkness。Forcenturies，truthanderrorstruggledforthemastery。Atlasttheeviltriumphed，andthetruthofHeavenwasthrustout。\"Thisisthecondemnation，thatlightiscomeintotheworld，andmenloveddarknessratherthanlight。\"John3:19。Thenationwaslefttoreaptheresultsofthecoursewhichshehadchosen。TherestraintofGod’sSpiritwasremovedfromapeoplethathaddespisedthegiftofHisgrace。
Evilwaspermittedtocometomaturity。Andalltheworldsawthefruitofwillfulrejectionofthelight。
ThewaragainsttheBible，carriedforwardforsomanycenturiesinFrance，culminatedinthescenesoftheRevolution。ThatterribleoutbreakingwasbutthelegitimateresultofRome’ssuppressionoftheScriptures。(SeeAppendix。)Itpresentedthemoststrikingillustrationwhichtheworldhaseverwitnessedoftheworkingoutofthepapalpolicy——anillustrationoftheresultstowhichformorethanathousand266
yearstheteachingoftheRomanChurchhadbeentending。
ThesuppressionoftheScripturesduringtheperiodofpapalsupremacywasforetoldbytheprophets；andtheRevelatorpointsalsototheterribleresultsthatweretoaccrueespeciallytoFrancefromthedominationofthe\"manofsin。\"
SaidtheangeloftheLord:\"Theholycityshalltheytreadunderfootfortyandtwomonths。AndIwillgivepoweruntoMytwowitnesses，andtheyshallprophesyathousandtwohundredandthreescoredays，clothedinsackcloth……Andwhentheyshallhavefinishedtheirtestimony，thebeastthatascendethoutofthebottomlesspitshallmakewaragainstthem，andshallovercomethem，andkillthem。Andtheirdeadbodiesshalllieinthestreetofthegreatcity，whichspirituallyiscalledSodomandEgypt，wherealsoourLordwascrucified……Andtheythatdwellupontheearthshallrejoiceoverthem，andmakemerry，andshallsendgiftsonetoanother；
becausethesetwoprophetstormentedthemthatdweltontheearth。AndafterthreedaysandahalftheSpiritoflifefromGodenteredintothem，andtheystoodupontheirfeet；andgreatfearfelluponthemwhichsawthem。\"
Revelation11:2-11。
Theperiodsherementioned——\"fortyandtwomonths，\"and\"athousandtwohundredandthreescoredays\"——arethesame，alikerepresentingthetimeinwhichthechurchofChristwastosufferoppressionfromRome。The1260
yearsofpapalsupremacybeganinA。D。538，andwouldthereforeterminatein1798。(SeeAppendixnoteforpage54。)AtthattimeaFrencharmyenteredRomeandmadethepopeaprisoner，andhediedinexile。Thoughanewpopewassoonafterwardelected，thepapalhierarchyhasneversincebeenabletowieldthepowerwhichitbeforepossessed。
Thepersecutionofthechurchdidnotcontinuethroughouttheentireperiodofthe1260years。GodinmercytoHispeoplecutshortthetimeoftheirfierytrial。Inforetellingthe267
\"greattribulation\"tobefallthechurch，theSavioursaid:\"Exceptthosedaysshouldbeshortened，thereshouldnofleshbesaved:butfortheelect’ssakethosedaysshallbeshortened。\"Matthew24:22。ThroughtheinfluenceoftheReformationthepersecutionwasbroughttoanendpriorto1798。
Concerningthetwowitnessestheprophetdeclaresfurther:\"Thesearethetwoolivetrees，andthetwocandlesticksstandingbeforetheGodoftheearth。\"\"Thyword，\"saidthepsalmist，\"isalampuntomyfeet，andalightuntomypath。\"Revelation11:4；Psalm119:105。ThetwowitnessesrepresenttheScripturesoftheOldandtheNewTestament。BothareimportanttestimoniestotheoriginandperpetuityofthelawofGod。Botharewitnessesalsototheplanofsalvation。Thetypes，sacrifices，andpropheciesoftheOldTestamentpointforwardtoaSaviourtocome。TheGospelsandEpistlesoftheNewTestamenttellofaSaviourwhohascomeintheexactmannerforetoldbytypeandprophecy。
\"Theyshallprophecyathousandtwohundredandthree-scoredays，clothedinsackcloth。\"Duringthegreaterpartofthisperiod，God’switnessesremainedinastateofobscurity。Thepapalpowersoughttohidefromthepeoplethewordoftruth，andsetbeforethemfalsewitnessestocontradictitstestimony。(SeeAppendix。)WhentheBiblewasproscribedbyreligiousandsecularauthority；whenitstestimonywasperverted，andeveryeffortmadethatmenanddemonscouldinventtoturnthemindsofthepeoplefromit；
whenthosewhodaredproclaimitssacredtruthswerehunted，betrayed，tortured，buriedindungeoncells，martyredfortheirfaith，orcompelledtofleetomountainfastnesses，andtodensandcavesoftheearth——thenthefaithfulwitnessesprophesiedinsackcloth。Yettheycontinuedtheirtestimonythroughouttheentireperiodof1260years。InthedarkesttimestherewerefaithfulmenwholovedGod’swordandwerejealousforHishonor。
Totheseloyalservantswere268
givenwisdom，power，andauthoritytodeclareHistruthduringthewholeofthistime。
\"Andifanymanwillhurtthem，fireproceedethoutoftheirmouth，anddevoureththeirenemies:andifanymanwillhurtthem，hemustinthismannerbekilled。\"Revelation11:5。MencannotwithimpunitytrampleuponthewordofGod。ThemeaningofthisfearfuldenunciationissetforthintheclosingchapteroftheRevelation:\"Itestifyuntoeverymanthatheareththewordsoftheprophecyofthisbook，Ifanymanshalladduntothesethings，Godshalladduntohimtheplaguesthatarewritteninthisbook:andifanymanshalltakeawayfromthewordsofthebookofthisprophecy，Godshalltakeawayhispartoutofthebookoflife，andoutoftheholycity，andfromthethingswhicharewritteninthisbook。\"
Revelation22:18，19。
SucharethewarningswhichGodhasgiventoguardmenagainstchanginginanymannerthatwhichHehasrevealedorcommanded。ThesesolemndenunciationsapplytoallwhobytheirinfluenceleadmentoregardlightlythelawofGod。TheyshouldcausethosetofearandtremblewhoflippantlydeclareitamatteroflittleconsequencewhetherweobeyGod’slawornot。
Allwhoexalttheirownopinionsabovedivinerevelation，allwhowouldchangetheplainmeaningofScripturetosuittheirownconvenience，orforthesakeofconformingtotheworld，aretakinguponthemselvesafearfulresponsibility。Thewrittenword，thelawofGod，willmeasurethecharacterofeverymanandcondemnallwhomthisunerringtestshalldeclarewanting。
\"Whentheyshallhavefinished[arefinishing]theirtestimony。\"Theperiodwhenthetwowitnessesweretoprophesyclothedinsackcloth，endedin1798。
Astheywereapproachingtheterminationoftheirworkinobscurity，warwastobemadeuponthembythepowerrepresentedas\"thebeastthatascendethoutofthebottomlesspit。\"InmanyofthenationsofEuropethepowersthatruledinchurchandstatehadforcenturiesbeencontrolledbySatanthroughthe269
mediumofthepapacy。Buthereisbroughttoviewanewmanifestationofsatanicpower。
IthadbeenRome’spolicy，underaprofessionofreverencefortheBible，tokeepitlockedupinanunknowntongueandhiddenawayfromthepeople。
Underherrulethewitnessesprophesied\"clothedinsackcloth。\"Butanotherpower——thebeastfromthebottomlesspit——wastoarisetomakeopen，avowedwaruponthewordofGod。
\"Thegreatcity\"inwhosestreetsthewitnessesareslain，andwheretheirdeadbodieslie，is\"spiritually\"Egypt。OfallnationspresentedinBiblehistory，EgyptmostboldlydeniedtheexistenceofthelivingGodandresistedHiscommands。NomonarcheverventureduponmoreopenandhighhandedrebellionagainsttheauthorityofHeaventhandidthekingofEgypt。WhenthemessagewasbroughthimbyMoses，inthenameoftheLord，Pharaohproudlyanswered:\"WhoisJehovah，thatIshouldhearkenuntoHisvoicetoletIsraelgo？IknownotJehovah，andmoreoverIwillnotletIsraelgo。\"Exodus5:2，A。R。V。Thisisatheism，andthenationrepresentedbyEgyptwouldgivevoicetoasimilardenialoftheclaimsofthelivingGodandwouldmanifestalikespiritofunbeliefanddefiance。\"Thegreatcity\"isalsocompared，\"spiritually，\"toSodom。ThecorruptionofSodominbreakingthelawofGodwasespeciallymanifestedinlicentiousness。Andthissinwasalsotobeapre-eminentcharacteristicofthenationthatshouldfulfillthespecificationsofthisscripture。
Accordingtothewordsoftheprophet，then，alittlebeforetheyear1798
somepowerofsatanicoriginandcharacterwouldrisetomakewarupontheBible。AndinthelandwherethetestimonyofGod’stwowitnessesshouldthusbesilenced，therewouldbemanifesttheatheismofthePharaohandthelicentiousnessofSodom。
ThisprophecyhasreceivedamostexactandstrikingfulfillmentinthehistoryofFrance。DuringtheRevolution，in1793，\"theworldforthefirsttimeheardanassemblyofmen，270
bornandeducatedincivilization，andassumingtherighttogovernoneofthefinestoftheEuropeannations，uplifttheirunitedvoicetodenythemostsolemntruthwhichman’ssoulreceives，andrenounceunanimouslythebeliefandworshipofaDeity。\"——SirWalterScott，LifeofNapoleon，vol。1，ch。
17。\"Franceistheonlynationintheworldconcerningwhichtheauthenticrecordsurvives，thatasanationsheliftedherhandinopenrebellionagainsttheAuthoroftheuniverse。Plentyofblasphemers，plentyofinfidels，therehavebeen，andstillcontinuetobe，inEngland，Germany，Spain，andelsewhere；butFrancestandsapartintheworld’shistoryasthesinglestatewhich，bythedecreeofherLegislativeAssembly，pronouncedthattherewasnoGod，andofwhichtheentirepopulationofthecapital，andavastmajorityelsewhere，womenaswellasmen，dancedandsangwithjoyinacceptingtheannouncement。\"——Blackwood’sMagazine，November，1870。
FrancepresentedalsothecharacteristicswhichespeciallydistinguishedSodom。DuringtheRevolutiontherewasmanifestastateofmoraldebasementandcorruptionsimilartothatwhichbroughtdestructionuponthecitiesoftheplain。AndthehistorianpresentstogethertheatheismandthelicentiousnessofFrance，asgivenintheprophecy:\"Intimatelyconnectedwiththeselawsaffectingreligion，wasthatwhichreducedtheunionofmarriage——themostsacredengagementwhichhumanbeingscanform，andthepermanenceofwhichleadsmoststronglytotheconsolidationofsociety——tothestateofamerecivilcontractofatransitorycharacter，whichanytwopersonsmightengageinandcastlooseatpleasure……Iffiendshadsetthemselvestoworktodiscoveramodeofmosteffectuallydestroyingwhateverisvenerable，graceful，orpermanentindomesticlife，andofobtainingatthesametimeanassurancethatthemischiefwhichitwastheirobjecttocreateshouldbeperpetuatedfromonegenerationtoanother，theycouldnothaveinventedamoreeffectualplanthatthedegradationofmarriage……SophieArnoult，an271
actressfamousforthewittythingsshesaid，describedtherepublicanmarriageas’thesacramentofadultery。’\"——Scott，vol。1，ch。17。
\"WherealsoourLordwascrucified。\"ThisspecificationoftheprophecywasalsofulfilledbyFrance。InnolandhadthespiritofenmityagainstChristbeenmorestrikinglydisplayed。Innocountryhadthetruthencounteredmorebitterandcruelopposition。InthepersecutionwhichFrancehadvisitedupontheconfessorsofthegospel，shehadcrucifiedChristinthepersonofHisdisciples。
Centuryaftercenturythebloodofthesaintshadbeenshed。WhiletheWaldenseslaiddowntheirlivesuponthemountainsofPiedmont\"forthewordofGod，andforthetestimonyofJesusChrist，\"similarwitnesstothetruthhadbeenbornebytheirbrethren，theAlbigensesofFrance。InthedaysoftheReformationitsdiscipleshadbeenputtodeathwithhorribletortures。
Kingandnobles，highbornwomenanddelicatemaidens，theprideandchivalryofthenation，hadfeastedtheireyesupontheagoniesofthemartyrsofJesus。ThebraveHuguenots，battlingforthoserightswhichthehumanheartholdsmostsacred，hadpouredouttheirbloodonmanyahard-foughtfield。
TheProtestantswerecountedasoutlaws，apricewassetupontheirheads，andtheywerehunteddownlikewildbeasts。
The\"ChurchintheDesert，\"thefewdescendantsoftheancientChristiansthatstilllingeredinFranceintheeighteenthcentury，hidingawayinthemountainsofthesouth，stillcherishedthefaithoftheirfathers。Astheyventuredtomeetbynightonmountainsideorlonelymoor，theywerechasedbydragoonsanddraggedawaytolifelongslaveryinthegalleys。Thepurest，themostrefined，andthemostintelligentoftheFrenchwerechained，inhorribletorture，amidstrobbersandassassins。(SeeWylie，b。22，ch。
6。)Others，moremercifullydealtwith，wereshotdownincoldblood，as，unarmedandhelpless，theyfellupontheir272
kneesinprayer。Hundredsofagedmen，defenselesswomen，andinnocentchildrenwereleftdeadupontheearthattheirplaceofmeeting。Intraversingthemountainsideortheforest，wheretheyhadbeenaccustomedtoassemble，itwasnotunusualtofind\"ateveryfourpaces，deadbodiesdottingthesward，andcorpseshangingsuspendedfromthetrees。\"Theircountry，laidwastewiththesword，theax，thefagot，\"wasconvertedintoonevast，gloomywilderness。\"\"Theseatrocitieswereenacted……innodarkage，butinthebrillianteraofLouisXIV。Sciencewasthencultivated，lettersflourished，thedivinesofthecourtandofthecapitalwerelearnedandeloquentmen，andgreatlyaffectedthegracesofmeeknessandcharity。\"——Ibid。，b。22，ch。7。
Butblackestintheblackcatalogueofcrime，mosthorribleamongthefiendishdeedsofallthedreadfulcenturies，wastheSt。BartholomewMassacre。Theworldstillrecallswithshudderinghorrorthescenesofthatmostcowardlyandcruelonslaught。ThekingofFrance，urgedonbyRomishpriestsandprelates，lenthissanctiontothedreadfulwork。Abell，tollingatdeadofnight，wasasignalfortheslaughter。Protestantsbythousands，sleepingquietlyintheirhomes，trustingtotheplightedhonoroftheirking，weredraggedforthwithoutawarningandmurderedincoldblood。
AsChristwastheinvisibleleaderofHispeoplefromEgyptianbondage，sowasSatantheunseenleaderofhissubjectsinthishorribleworkofmultiplyingmartyrs。ForsevendaysthemassacrewascontinuedinParis，thefirstthreewithinconceivablefury。Anditwasnotconfinedtothecityitself，butbyspecialorderofthekingwasextendedtoalltheprovincesandtownswhereProtestantswerefound。Neitheragenorsexwasrespected。
Neithertheinnocentbabenorthemanofgrayhairswasspared。Nobleandpeasant，oldandyoung，motherandchild，werecutdowntogether。ThroughoutFrancethebutcherycontinuedfortwomonths。Seventythousandoftheveryflowerofthenationperished。
\"WhenthenewsofthemassacrereachedRome，the273
exultationamongtheclergyknewnobounds。ThecardinalofLorrainerewardedthemessengerwithathousandcrowns；thecannonofSt。Angelothunderedforthajoyoussalute；andbellsrangoutfromeverysteeple；
bonfiresturnednightintoday；andGregoryXIII，attendedbythecardinalsandotherecclesiasticaldignitaries，wentinlongprocessiontothechurchofSt。Louis，wherethecardinalofLorrainechantedaTeDeum……A
medalwasstrucktocommemoratethemassacre，andintheVaticanmaystillbeseenthreefrescoesofVasari，describingtheattackupontheadmiral，thekingincouncilplottingthemassacre，andthemassacreitself。GregorysentCharlestheGoldenRose；andfourmonthsafterthemassacre，……helistenedcomplacentlytothesermonofaFrenchpriest，……whospokeof’thatdaysofullofhappinessandjoy，whenthemostholyfatherreceivedthenews，andwentinsolemnstatetorenderthankstoGodandSt。
Louis。’\"——HenryWhite，TheMassacreofSt。Bartholomew，ch。14，par。34。
ThesamemasterspiritthaturgedontheSt。BartholomewMassacreledalsointhescenesoftheRevolution。JesusChristwasdeclaredtobeanimpostor，andtherallyingcryoftheFrenchinfidelswas，\"CrushtheWretch，\"meaningChrist。Heaven-daringblasphemyandabominablewickednesswenthandinhand，andthebasestofmen，themostabandonedmonstersofcrueltyandvice，weremosthighlyexalted。Inallthis，supremehomagewaspaidtoSatan；whileChrist，inHischaracteristicsoftruth，purity，andunselfishlove，wascrucified。
\"Thebeastthatascendethoutofthebottomlesspitshallmakewaragainstthem，andshallovercomethem，andkillthem。\"TheatheisticalpowerthatruledinFranceduringtheRevolutionandtheReignofTerror，didwagesuchawaragainstGodandHisholywordastheworldhadneverwitnessed。TheworshipoftheDeitywasabolishedbytheNationalAssembly。Bibleswerecollectedandpubliclyburnedwitheverypossiblemanifestationofscorn。
ThelawofGod274
wastrampledunderfoot。TheinstitutionsoftheBiblewereabolished。Theweeklyrestdaywassetaside，andinitssteadeverytenthdaywasdevotedtorevelingandblasphemy。BaptismandtheCommunionwereprohibited。Andannouncementspostedconspicuouslyovertheburialplacesdeclareddeathtobeaneternalsleep。
ThefearofGodwassaidtobesofarfromthebeginningofwisdomthatitwasthebeginningoffolly。Allreligiousworshipwasprohibited，exceptthatoflibertyandthecountry。The\"constitutionalbishopofPariswasbroughtforwardtoplaytheprincipalpartinthemostimpudentandscandalousfarceeveractedinthefaceofanationalrepresentation……
Hewasbroughtforwardinfullprocession，todeclaretotheConventionthatthereligionwhichhehadtaughtsomanyyearswas，ineveryrespect，apieceofpriestcraft，whichhadnofoundationeitherinhistoryorsacredtruth。Hedisowned，insolemnandexplicitterms，theexistenceoftheDeitytowhoseworshiphehadbeenconsecrated，anddevotedhimselfinfuturetothehomageofliberty，equality，virtue，andmorality。Hethenlaidonthetablehisepiscopaldecorations，andreceivedafraternalembracefromthepresidentoftheConvention。Severalapostatepriestsfollowedtheexampleofthisprelate。\"——Scott，vol。1，ch。17。
\"Andtheythatdwellupontheearthshallrejoiceoverthem，andmakemerry，andshallsendgiftsonetoanother；becausethesetwoprophetstormentedthemthatdweltontheearth。\"InfidelFrancehadsilencedthereprovingvoiceofGod’stwowitnesses。Thewordoftruthlaydeadinherstreets，andthosewhohatedtherestrictionsandrequirementsofGod’slawwerejubilant。MenpubliclydefiedtheKingofheaven。Likethesinnersofold，theycried:\"HowdothGodknow？andisthereknowledgeintheMostHigh？\"
Psalm73:11。
Withblasphemousboldnessalmostbeyondbelief，oneofthepriestsofthenewordersaid:\"God，ifYouexist，avengeYourinjuredname。IbidYoudefiance！Youremainsilent；YoudarenotlaunchYourthunders。Whoafterthiswill275
believeinYourexistence？\"——Lacretelle，History，vol。11，p。
309；inSirArchibaldAlison，HistoryofEurope，vol。1，ch。10。WhatanechoisthisofthePharaoh’sdemand:\"WhoisJehovah，thatIshouldobeyHisvoice？\"\"IknownotJehovah！\"
\"Thefoolhathsaidinhisheart，ThereisnoGod。\"Psalm14:1。AndtheLorddeclaresconcerningthepervertersofthetruth:\"Theirfollyshallbemanifestuntoall。\"2Timothy3:9。AfterFrancehadrenouncedtheworshipofthelivingGod，\"thehighandloftyOnethatinhabitetheternity，\"itwasonlyalittletimetillshedescendedtodegradingidolatry，bytheworshipoftheGoddessofReason，inthepersonofaprofligatewoman。Andthisintherepresentativeassemblyofthenation，andbyitshighestcivilandlegislativeauthorities！Saysthehistorian:\"Oneoftheceremoniesofthisinsanetimestandsunrivaledforabsurditycombinedwithimpiety。ThedoorsoftheConventionwerethrownopentoabandofmusicians，precededbywhom，themembersofthemunicipalbodyenteredinsolemnprocession，singingahymninpraiseofliberty，andescorting，astheobjectoftheirfutureworship，aveiledfemale，whomtheytermedtheGoddessofReason。Beingbroughtwithinthebar，shewasunveiledwithgreatform，andplacedontherightofthepresident，whenshewasgenerallyrecognizedasadancinggirloftheopera……Tothisperson，asthefittestrepresentativeofthatreasonwhomtheyworshiped，theNationalConventionofFrancerenderedpublichomage。
\"Thisimpiousandridiculousmummeryhadacertainfashion；andtheinstallationoftheGoddessofReasonwasrenewedandimitatedthroughoutthenation，insuchplaceswheretheinhabitantsdesiredtoshowthemselvesequaltoalltheheightsoftheRevolution。\"——Scott，vol。1，ch。17。
SaidtheoratorwhointroducedtheworshipofReason:\"Legislators！
Fanaticismhasgivenwaytoreason。Itsblearedeyescouldnotendurethebrilliancyofthelight。Thisdayanimmenseconcoursehasassembledbeneaththosegothicvaults，which，forthefirsttime，re-echoedthetruth。There276
theFrenchhavecelebratedtheonlytrueworship，——thatofLiberty，thatofReason。TherewehaveformedwishesfortheprosperityofthearmsoftheRepublic。TherewehaveabandonedinanimateidolsforReason，forthatanimatedimage，themasterpieceofnature。\"——M。A。Thiers，HistoryoftheFrenchRevolution，vol。2，pp。370，371。
WhenthegoddesswasbroughtintotheConvention，theoratortookherbythehand，andturningtotheassemblysaid:\"Mortals，ceasetotremblebeforethepowerlessthundersofaGodwhomyourfearshavecreated。HenceforthacknowledgenodivinitybutReason。Iofferyouitsnoblestandpurestimage；ifyoumusthaveidols，sacrificeonlytosuchasthis……FallbeforetheaugustSenateofFreedom，oh！VeilofReason！\"
\"Thegoddess，afterbeingembracedbythepresident，wasmountedonamagnificentcar，andconducted，amidanimmensecrowd，tothecathedralofNotreDame，totaketheplaceoftheDeity。Thereshewaselevatedonthehighaltar，andreceivedtheadorationofallpresent。\"——Alison，vol。1，ch。
10。
Thiswasfollowed，notlongafterward，bythepublicburningoftheBible。
Ononeoccasion\"thePopularSocietyoftheMuseum\"enteredthehallofthemunicipality，exclaiming，\"VivelaRaison！\"andcarryingonthetopofapolethehalf-burnedremainsofseveralbooks，amongothersbreviaries，missals，andtheOldandNewTestaments，which\"expiatedinagreatfire，\"
saidthepresident，\"allthefoolerieswhichtheyhavemadethehumanracecommit。\"——JournalofParis，1793，No。318。QuotedinBuchez-Roux，CollectionofParliamentaryHistory，vol。30，pp。200，201。
Itwaspoperythathadbeguntheworkwhichatheismwascompleting。ThepolicyofRomehadwroughtoutthoseconditions，social，political，andreligious，thatwerehurryingFranceontoruin。Writers，inreferringtothehorrorsoftheRevolution，saythattheseexcessesaretobechargeduponthethroneandthechurch。(SeeAppendix。)Instrictjusticetheyaretobechargeduponthechurch。Poperyhadpoisonedthe277
mindsofkingsagainsttheReformation，asanenemytothecrown，anelementofdiscordthatwouldbefataltothepeaceandharmonyofthenation。ItwasthegeniusofRomethatbythismeansinspiredthedirestcrueltyandthemostgallingoppressionwhichproceededfromthethrone。
ThespiritoflibertywentwiththeBible。Whereverthegospelwasreceived，themindsofthepeoplewereawakened。Theybegantocastofftheshacklesthathadheldthembondslavesofignorance，vice，andsuperstition。Theybegantothinkandactasmen。Monarchssawitandtrembledfortheirdespotism。
Romewasnotslowtoinflametheirjealousfears。SaidthepopetotheregentofFrancein1525:\"Thismania[Protestantism]willnotonlyconfoundanddestroyreligion，butallprincipalities，nobility，laws，orders，andranksbesides。\"——G。deFelice，HistoryoftheProtestantsofFrance，b。1，ch。2，par。8。Afewyearslaterapapalnunciowarnedtheking:\"Sire，benotdeceived。TheProtestantswillupsetallcivilaswellasreligiousorder……Thethroneisinasmuchdangerasthealtar……Theintroductionofanewreligionmustnecessarilyintroduceanewgovernment。\"——D’Aubigne，HistoryoftheReformationinEuropeintheTimeofCalvin，b。2，ch。36。AndtheologiansappealedtotheprejudicesofthepeoplebydeclaringthattheProtestantdoctrine\"enticesmenawaytonoveltiesandfolly；itrobsthekingofthedevotedaffectionofhissubjects，anddevastatesbothchurchandstate。\"ThusRomesucceededinarrayingFranceagainsttheReformation。\"Itwastoupholdthethrone，preservethenobles，andmaintainthelaws，thattheswordofpersecutionwasfirstunsheathedinFrance。\"——Wylie，b。13，ch。4。
Littledidtherulersofthelandforeseetheresultsofthatfatefulpolicy。TheteachingoftheBiblewouldhaveimplantedinthemindsandheartsofthepeoplethoseprinciplesofjustice，temperance，truth，equity，andbenevolencewhicharetheverycornerstoneofanation’sprosperity。
\"Righteousnessexaltethanation。\"Thereby\"thethroneisestablished。\"
278
Proverbs14:34；16:12。\"Theworkofrighteousnessshallbepeace；\"andtheeffect，\"quietnessandassuranceforever。\"Isaiah32:17。Hewhoobeysthedivinelawwillmosttrulyrespectandobeythelawsofhiscountry。HewhofearsGodwillhonorthekingintheexerciseofalljustandlegitimateauthority。ButunhappyFranceprohibitedtheBibleandbanneditsdisciples。
Centuryaftercentury，menofprincipleandintegrity，menofintellectualacutenessandmoralstrength，whohadthecouragetoavowtheirconvictionsandthefaithtosufferforthetruth——forcenturiesthesementoiledasslavesinthegalleys，perishedatthestake，orrottedindungeoncells。
Thousandsuponthousandsfoundsafetyinflight；andthiscontinuedfortwohundredandfiftyyearsaftertheopeningoftheReformation。
\"ScarcelywasthereagenerationofFrenchmenduringthelongperiodthatdidnotwitnessthedisciplesofthegospelfleeingbeforetheinsanefuryofthepersecutor，andcarryingwiththemtheintelligence，thearts，theindustry，theorder，inwhich，asarule，theypre-eminentlyexcelled，toenrichthelandsinwhichtheyfoundanasylum。Andinproportionastheyreplenishedothercountrieswiththesegoodgifts，didtheyemptytheirownofthem。IfallthatwasnowdrivenawayhadbeenretainedinFrance；if，duringthesethreehundredyears，theindustrialskilloftheexileshadbeencultivatinghersoil；if，duringthesethreehundredyears，theirartisticbenthadbeenimprovinghermanufactures；if，duringthesethreehundredyears，theircreativegeniusandanalyticpowerhadbeenenrichingherliteratureandcultivatingherscience；iftheirwisdomhadbeenguidinghercouncils，theirbraveryfightingherbattles，theirequityframingherlaws，andthereligionoftheBiblestrengtheningtheintellectandgoverningtheconscienceofherpeople，whataglorywouldatthisdayhaveencompassedFrance！Whatagreat，prosperous，andhappycountry——apatterntothenations——wouldshehavebeen！
279
\"Butablindandinexorablebigotrychasedfromhersoileveryteacherofvirtue，everychampionoforder，everyhonestdefenderofthethrone；itsaidtothemenwhowouldhavemadetheircountrya’renownandglory’intheearth，Choosewhichyouwillhave，astakeorexile。Atlasttheruinofthestatewascomplete；thereremainednomoreconsciencetobeproscribed；
nomorereligiontobedraggedtothestake；nomorepatriotismtobechasedintobanishment。\"——Wylie，b。13，ch。20。AndtheRevolution，withallitshorrors，wasthedireresult。
\"WiththeflightoftheHuguenotsageneraldeclinesettleduponFrance。
Flourishingmanufacturingcitiesfellintodecay；fertiledistrictsreturnedtotheirnativewildness；intellectualdullnessandmoraldeclensionsucceededaperiodofunwontedprogress。Parisbecameonevastalmshouse，anditisestimatedthat，atthebreakingoutoftheRevolution，twohundredthousandpaupersclaimedcharityfromthehandsoftheking。TheJesuitsaloneflourishedinthedecayingnation，andruledwithdreadfultyrannyoverchurchesandschools，theprisonsandthegalleys。\"
ThegospelwouldhavebroughttoFrancethesolutionofthosepoliticalandsocialproblemsthatbaffledtheskillofherclergy，herking，andherlegislators，andfinallyplungedthenationintoanarchyandruin。ButunderthedominationofRomethepeoplehadlosttheSaviour’sblessedlessonsofself-sacrificeandunselfishlove。Theyhadbeenledawayfromthepracticeofself-denialforthegoodofothers。Therichhadfoundnorebukefortheiroppressionofthepoor，thepoornohelpfortheirservitudeanddegradation。Theselfishnessofthewealthyandpowerfulgrewmoreandmoreapparentandoppressive。Forcenturiesthegreedandprofligacyofthenobleresultedingrindingextortiontowardthepeasant。Therichwrongedthepoor，andthepoorhatedtherich。
Inmanyprovincestheestateswereheldbythenobles，andthelaboringclasseswereonlytenants；theywereatthemercy280
oftheirlandlordsandwereforcedtosubmittotheirexorbitantdemands。
Theburdenofsupportingboththechurchandthestatefelluponthemiddleandlowerclasses，whowereheavilytaxedbythecivilauthoritiesandbytheclergy。\"Thepleasureofthenobleswasconsideredthesupremelaw；thefarmersandthepeasantsmightstarve，foraughttheiroppressorscared……Thepeoplewerecompelledateveryturntoconsulttheexclusiveinterestofthelandlord。Thelivesoftheagriculturallaborerswerelivesofincessantworkandunrelievedmisery；theircomplaints，iftheyeverdaredtocomplain，weretreatedwithinsolentcontempt。Thecourtsofjusticewouldalwayslistentoanobleasagainstapeasant；bribeswerenotoriouslyacceptedbythejudges；andthemerestcapriceofthearistocracyhadtheforceoflaw，byvirtueofthissystemofuniversalcorruption。Ofthetaxeswrungfromthecommonalty，bythesecularmagnatesontheonehand，andtheclergyontheother，nothalfeverfounditswayintotheroyalorepiscopaltreasury；therestwassquanderedinprofligateself-indulgence。Andthemenwhothusimpoverishedtheirfellowsubjectswerethemselvesexemptfromtaxation，andentitledbylaworcustomtoalltheappointmentsofthestate。Theprivilegedclassesnumberedahundredandfiftythousand，andfortheirgratificationmillionswerecondemnedtohopelessanddegradinglives。\"(SeeAppendix。)
Thecourtwasgivenuptoluxuryandprofligacy。Therewaslittleconfidenceexistingbetweenthepeopleandtherulers。Suspicionfasteneduponallthemeasuresofthegovernmentasdesigningandselfish。FormorethanhalfacenturybeforethetimeoftheRevolutionthethronewasoccupiedbyLouisXV，who，eveninthoseeviltimes，wasdistinguishedasanindolent，frivolous，andsensualmonarch。Withadepravedandcruelaristocracyandanimpoverishedandignorantlowerclass，thestatefinanciallyembarrassedandthepeopleexasperated，itneedednoprophet’seyetoforeseeaterribleimpendingoutbreak。Tothewarningsofhiscounselorsthekingwasaccustomedtoreply:\"Tryto281
makethingsgoonaslongasIamlikelytolive；aftermydeathitmaybeasitwill。\"Itwasinvainthatthenecessityofreformwasurged。Hesawtheevils，buthadneitherthecouragenorthepowertomeetthem。ThedoomawaitingFrancewasbuttootrulypicturedinhisindolentandselfishanswer，\"Afterme，thedeluge！\"
Byworkinguponthejealousyofthekingsandtherulingclasses，Romehadinfluencedthemtokeepthepeopleinbondage，wellknowingthatthestatewouldthusbeweakened，andpurposingbythismeanstofastenbothrulersandpeopleinherthrall。Withfarsightedpolicysheperceivedthatinordertoenslavemeneffectually，theshacklesmustbeboundupontheirsouls；
thatthesurestwaytopreventthemfromescapingtheirbondagewastorenderthemincapableoffreedom。Athousandfoldmoreterriblethanthephysicalsufferingwhichresultedfromherpolicy，wasthemoraldegradation。DeprivedoftheBible，andabandonedtotheteachingsofbigotryandselfishness，thepeoplewereshroudedinignoranceandsuperstition，andsunkeninvice，sothattheywerewhollyunfittedforself-government。
ButtheoutworkingofallthiswaswidelydifferentfromwhatRomehadpurposed。Insteadofholdingthemassesinablindsubmissiontoherdogmas，herworkresultedinmakingtheminfidelsandrevolutionists。Romanismtheydespisedaspriestcraft。Theybeheldtheclergyasapartytotheiroppression。TheonlygodtheyknewwasthegodofRome；herteachingwastheironlyreligion。TheyregardedhergreedandcrueltyasthelegitimatefruitoftheBible，andtheywouldhavenoneofit。
RomehadmisrepresentedthecharacterofGodandpervertedHisrequirements，andnowmenrejectedboththeBibleanditsAuthor。Shehadrequiredablindfaithinherdogmas，underthepretendedsanctionoftheScriptures。Inthereaction，VoltaireandhisassociatescastasideGod’swordaltogetherandspreadeverywherethepoisonofinfidelity。Romehadgrounddownthepeopleunderherironheel；andnowthemasses，degradedandbrutalized，intheirrecoilfrom282
hertyranny，castoffallrestraint。Enragedattheglitteringcheattowhichtheyhadsolongpaidhomage，theyrejectedtruthandfalsehoodtogether；andmistakinglicenseforliberty，theslavesofviceexultedintheirimaginedfreedom。
AttheopeningoftheRevolution，byaconcessionoftheking，thepeopleweregrantedarepresentationexceedingthatofthenoblesandtheclergycombined。Thusthebalanceofpowerwasintheirhands；buttheywerenotpreparedtouseitwithwisdomandmoderation。Eagertoredressthewrongstheyhadsuffered，theydeterminedtoundertakethereconstructionofsociety。Anoutragedpopulace，whosemindswerefilledwithbitterandlong-treasuredmemoriesofwrong，resolvedtorevolutionizethestateofmiserythathadgrownunbearableandtoavengethemselvesuponthosewhomtheyregardedastheauthorsoftheirsufferings。Theoppressedwroughtoutthelessontheyhadlearnedundertyrannyandbecametheoppressorsofthosewhohadoppressedthem。
UnhappyFrancereapedinbloodtheharvestshehadsown。TerribleweretheresultsofhersubmissiontothecontrollingpowerofRome。WhereFrance，undertheinfluenceofRomanism，hadsetupthefirststakeattheopeningoftheReformation，theretheRevolutionsetupitsfirstguillotine。OntheveryspotwherethefirstmartyrstotheProtestantfaithwereburnedinthesixteenthcentury，thefirstvictimswereguillotinedintheeighteenth。Inrepellingthegospel，whichwouldhavebroughtherhealing，Francehadopenedthedoortoinfidelityandruin。WhentherestraintsofGod’slawwerecastaside，itwasfoundthatthelawsofmanwereinadequatetoholdincheckthepowerfultidesofhumanpassion；andthenationsweptontorevoltandanarchy。ThewaragainsttheBibleinauguratedanerawhichstandsintheworld’shistoryastheReignofTerror。Peaceandhappinesswerebanishedfromthehomesandheartsofmen。Noonewassecure。Hewhotriumphedtodaywassuspected，condemned，tomorrow。Violenceandlustheldundisputedsway。
283
King，clergy，andnobleswerecompelledtosubmittotheatrocitiesofanexcitedandmaddenedpeople。Theirthirstforvengeancewasonlystimulatedbytheexecutionoftheking；andthosewhohaddecreedhisdeathsoonfollowedhimtothescaffold。AgeneralslaughterofallsuspectedofhostilitytotheRevolutionwasdetermined。Theprisonswerecrowded，atonetimecontainingmorethantwohundredthousandcaptives。Thecitiesofthekingdomwerefilledwithscenesofhorror。Onepartyofrevolutionistswasagainstanotherparty，andFrancebecameavastfieldforcontendingmasses，swayedbythefuryoftheirpassions。\"InParisonetumultsucceededanother，andthecitizensweredividedintoamedleyoffactions，thatseemedintentonnothingbutmutualextermination。\"Andtoaddtothegeneralmisery，thenationbecameinvolvedinaprolongedanddevastatingwarwiththegreatpowersofEurope。\"Thecountrywasnearlybankrupt，thearmieswereclamoringforarrearsofpay，theParisianswerestarving，theprovinceswerelaidwastebybrigands，andcivilizationwasalmostextinguishedinanarchyandlicense。\"
AlltoowellthepeoplehadlearnedthelessonsofcrueltyandtorturewhichRomehadsodiligentlytaught。Adayofretributionatlasthadcome。ItwasnotnowthedisciplesofJesusthatwerethrustintodungeonsanddraggedtothestake。Longagothesehadperishedorbeendrivenintoexile。UnsparingRomenowfeltthedeadlypowerofthosewhomshehadtrainedtodelightindeedsofblood。\"TheexampleofpersecutionwhichtheclergyofFrancehadexhibitedforsomanyages，wasnowretorteduponthemwithsignalvigor。
Thescaffoldsranredwiththebloodofthepriests。Thegalleysandtheprisons，oncecrowdedwithHuguenots，werenowfilledwiththeirpersecutors。Chainedtothebenchandtoilingattheoar，theRomanCatholicclergyexperiencedallthosewoeswhichtheirchurchhadsofreelyinflictedonthegentleheretics。\"(SeeAppendix。)
284
\"Thencamethosedayswhenthemostbarbarousofallcodeswasadministeredbythemostbarbarousofalltribunals；whennomancouldgreethisneighborsorsayhisprayers……withoutdangerofcommittingacapitalcrime；whenspieslurkedineverycorner；whentheguillotinewaslongandhardatworkeverymorning；whenthejailswerefilledascloseastheholdsofaslaveship；whentheguttersranfoamingwithbloodintotheSeine……WhilethedailywagonloadsofvictimswerecarriedtotheirdoomthroughthestreetsofParis，theproconsuls，whomthesovereigncommitteehadsentforthtothedepartments，reveledinanextravaganceofcrueltyunknowneveninthecapital。Theknifeofthedeadlymachineroseandfelltooslowfortheirworkofslaughter。Longrowsofcaptivesweremoweddownwithgrapeshot。Holesweremadeinthebottomofcrowdedbarges。Lyonswasturnedintoadesert。AtArraseventhecruelmercyofaspeedydeathwasdeniedtotheprisoners。AlldowntheLoire，fromSaumurtothesea，greatflocksofcrowsandkitesfeastedonnakedcorpses，twinedtogetherinhideousembraces。Nomercywasshowntosexorage。Thenumberofyoungladsandofgirlsofseventeenwhoweremurderedbythatexecrablegovernment，istobereckonedbyhundreds。BabiestornfromthebreastweretossedfrompiketopikealongtheJacobinranks。\"(SeeAppendix。)Intheshortspaceoftenyears，multitudesofhumanbeingsperished。
AllthiswasasSatanwouldhaveit。Thiswaswhatforageshehadbeenworkingtosecure。Hispolicyisdeceptionfromfirsttolast，andhissteadfastpurposeistobringwoeandwretchednessuponmen，todefaceanddefiletheworkmanshipofGod，tomarthedivinepurposesofbenevolenceandlove，andthuscausegriefinheaven。Thenbyhisdeceptiveartsheblindsthemindsofmen，andleadsthemtothrowbacktheblameofhisworkuponGod，asifallthismiseryweretheresultoftheCreator’splan。Inlikemanner，when285
thosewhohavebeendegradedandbrutalizedthroughhiscruelpowerachievetheirfreedom，heurgesthemontoexcessesandatrocities。Thenthispictureofunbridledlicenseispointedoutbytyrantsandoppressorsasanillustrationoftheresultsofliberty。
Whenerrorinonegarbhasbeendetected，Satanonlymasksitinadifferentdisguise，andmultitudesreceiveitaseagerlyasatthefirst。WhenthepeoplefoundRomanismtobeadeception，andhecouldnotthroughthisagencyleadthemtotransgressionofGod’slaw，heurgedthemtoregardallreligionasacheat，andtheBibleasafable；and，castingasidethedivinestatutes，theygavethemselvesuptounbridlediniquity。
ThefatalerrorwhichwroughtsuchwoefortheinhabitantsofFrancewastheignoringofthisonegreattruth:thattruefreedomlieswithintheproscriptionsofthelawofGod。\"OthatthouhadsthearkenedtoMycommandments！thenhadthypeacebeenasariver，andthyrighteousnessasthewavesofthesea。\"\"Thereisnopeace，saiththeLord，untothewicked。\"
\"ButwhosohearkenethuntoMeshalldwellsafely，andshallbequietfromfearofevil。\"Isaiah48:18，22；Proverbs1:33。
Atheists，infidels，andapostatesopposeanddenounceGod’slaw；buttheresultsoftheirinfluenceprovethatthewell-beingofmanisboundupwithhisobedienceofthedivinestatutes。ThosewhowillnotreadthelessonfromthebookofGodarebiddentoreaditinthehistoryofnations。
WhenSatanwroughtthroughtheRomanChurchtoleadmenawayfromobedience，hisagencywasconcealed，andhisworkwassodisguisedthatthedegradationandmiserywhichresultedwerenotseentobethefruitoftransgression。
AndhispowerwassofarcounteractedbytheworkingoftheSpiritofGodthathispurposeswerepreventedfromreachingtheirfullfruition。Thepeopledidnottracetheeffecttoitscauseanddiscoverthesourceoftheirmiseries。Butinthe286
RevolutionthelawofGodwasopenlysetasidebytheNationalCouncil。AndintheReignofTerrorwhichfollowed，theworkingofcauseandeffectcouldbeseenbyall。
WhenFrancepubliclyrejectedGodandsetasidetheBible，wickedmenandspiritsofdarknessexultedintheirattainmentoftheobjectsolongdesired——akingdomfreefromtherestraintsofthelawofGod。Becausesentenceagainstanevilworkwasnotspeedilyexecuted，thereforetheheartofthesonsofmenwas\"fullysetinthemtodoevil。\"Ecclesiastes8:11。
Butthetransgressionofajustandrighteouslawmustinevitablyresultinmiseryandruin。Thoughnotvisitedatoncewithjudgments，thewickednessofmenwasneverthelesssurelyworkingouttheirdoom。Centuriesofapostasyandcrimehadbeentreasuringupwrathagainstthedayofretribution；andwhentheiriniquitywasfull，thedespisersofGodlearnedtoolatethatitisafearfulthingtohavewornoutthedivinepatience。TherestrainingSpiritofGod，whichimposesacheckuponthecruelpowerofSatan，wasinagreatmeasureremoved，andhewhoseonlydelightisthewretchednessofmenwaspermittedtoworkhiswill。Thosewhohadchosentheserviceofrebellionwerelefttoreapitsfruitsuntilthelandwasfilledwithcrimestoohorribleforpentotrace。Fromdevastatedprovincesandruinedcitiesaterriblecrywasheard——acryofbitterestanguish。Francewasshakenasifbyanearthquake。Religion，law，socialorder，thefamily，thestate，andthechurch——allweresmittendownbytheimpioushandthathadbeenliftedagainstthelawofGod。Trulyspokethewiseman:\"Thewickedshallfallbyhisownwickedness。\"\"Thoughasinnerdoevilahundredtimes，andhisdaysbeprolonged，yetsurelyIknowthatitshallbewellwiththemthatfearGod，whichfearbeforeHim:butitshallnotbewellwiththewicked。\"
Proverbs11:5；Ecclesiastes8:12，13。\"Theyhatedknowledge，anddidnotchoosethefearoftheLord；\"\"thereforeshalltheyeatofthefruitoftheirownway，andbefilledwiththeirowndevices。\"Proverbs1:29，31。
287
God’sfaithfulwitnesses，slainbytheblasphemouspowerthat\"ascendethoutofthebottomlesspit，\"werenotlongtoremainsilent。\"AfterthreedaysandahalftheSpiritoflifefromGodenteredintothem，andtheystoodupontheirfeet；andgreatfearfelluponthemwhichsawthem。\"Revelation11:11。Itwasin1793thatthedecreeswhichabolishedtheChristianreligionandsetasidetheBiblepassedtheFrenchAssembly。Threeyearsandahalflateraresolutionrescindingthesedecrees，thusgrantingtolerationtotheScriptures，wasadoptedbythesamebody。TheworldstoodaghastattheenormityofguiltwhichhadresultedfromarejectionoftheSacredOracles，andmenrecognizedthenecessityoffaithinGodandHiswordasthefoundationofvirtueandmorality。SaiththeLord:\"Whomhastthoureproachedandblasphemed？andagainstwhomhastthouexaltedthyvoice，andliftedupthineeyesonhigh？evenagainsttheHolyOneofIsrael，\"Isaiah37:23。\"Therefore，behold，Iwillcausethemtoknow，thisoncewillIcausethemtoknowMyhandandMymight；andtheyshallknowthatMynameisJehovah。\"Jeremiah16:21，A。R。V。
Concerningthetwowitnessestheprophetdeclaresfurther:\"Andtheyheardagreatvoicefromheavensayinguntothem，Comeuphither。Andtheyascendeduptoheaveninacloud；andtheirenemiesbeheldthem。\"Revelation11:12。
SinceFrancemadewaruponGod’stwowitnesses，theyhavebeenhonoredasneverbefore。In1804theBritishandForeignBibleSocietywasorganized。
Thiswasfollowedbysimilarorganizations，withnumerousbranches，uponthecontinentofEurope。In1816theAmericanBibleSocietywasfounded。WhentheBritishSocietywasformed，theBiblehadbeenprintedandcirculatedinfiftytongues。Ithassincebeentranslatedintomanyhundredsoflanguagesanddialects。(SeeAppendix。)
Forthefiftyyearspreceding1792，littleattentionwasgiventotheworkofforeignmissions。Nonewsocietieswereformed，andtherewerebutfewchurchesthatmadeany288
effortforthespreadofChristianityinheathenlands。Buttowardthecloseoftheeighteenthcenturyagreatchangetookplace。Menbecamedissatisfiedwiththeresultsofrationalismandrealizedthenecessityofdivinerevelationandexperimentalreligion。Fromthistimetheworkofforeignmissionsattainedanunprecedentedgrowth。(SeeAppendix。)
TheimprovementsinprintinghavegivenanimpetustotheworkofcirculatingtheBible。Theincreasedfacilitiesforcommunicationbetweendifferentcountries，thebreakingdownofancientbarriersofprejudiceandnationalexclusiveness，andthelossofsecularpowerbythepontiffofRomehaveopenedthewayfortheentranceofthewordofGod。ForsomeyearstheBiblehasbeensoldwithoutrestraintinthestreetsofRome，andithasnowbeencarriedtoeverypartofthehabitableglobe。
TheinfidelVoltaireonceboastinglysaid:\"IamwearyofhearingpeoplerepeatthattwelvemenestablishedtheChristianreligion。Iwillprovethatonemanmaysufficetooverthrowit。\"Generationshavepassedsincehisdeath。MillionshavejoinedinthewarupontheBible。Butitissofarfrombeingdestroyed，thatwheretherewereahundredinVoltaire’stime，therearenowtenthousand，yes，ahundredthousandcopiesofthebookofGod。InthewordsofanearlyReformerconcerningtheChristianchurch，\"TheBibleisananvilthathaswornoutmanyhammers。\"SaiththeLord:\"Noweaponthatisformedagainsttheeshallprosper；andeverytonguethatshallriseagainsttheeinjudgmentthoushaltcondemn。\"Isaiah54:17。
\"ThewordofourGodshallstandforever。\"\"AllHiscommandmentsaresure。
Theystandfastforeverandever，andaredoneintruthanduprightness。\"
Isaiah40:8；Psalm111:7，8。Whateverisbuiltupontheauthorityofmanwillbeoverthrown；butthatwhichisfoundedupontherockofGod’simmutablewordshallstandforever。
(289)
Chapter16
ThePilgrimFathersTheEnglishReformers，whilerenouncingthedoctrinesofRomanism，hadretainedmanyofitsforms。ThusthoughtheauthorityandthecreedofRomewererejected，notafewofhercustomsandceremonieswereincorporatedintotheworshipoftheChurchofEngland。Itwasclaimedthatthesethingswerenotmattersofconscience；thatthoughtheywerenotcommandedinScripture，andhencewerenonessential，yetnotbeingforbidden，theywerenotintrinsicallyevil。TheirobservancetendedtonarrowthegulfwhichseparatedthereformedchurchesfromRome，anditwasurgedthattheywouldpromotetheacceptanceoftheProtestantfaithbyRomanists。
Totheconservativeandcompromising，theseargumentsseemedconclusive。Buttherewasanotherclassthatdidnotsojudge。Thefactthatthesecustoms\"tendedtobridgeoverthechasmbetweenRomeandtheReformation\"(Martyn，volume5，page22)，wasintheirviewaconclusiveargumentagainstretainingthem。Theylookeduponthemasbadgesoftheslaveryfromwhichtheyhadbeendeliveredandtowhichtheyhadnodispositiontoreturn。TheyreasonedthatGodhasinHiswordestablishedtheregulationsgoverningHisworship，andthatmenarenotatlibertytoaddtotheseortodetractfromthem。TheverybeginningofthegreatapostasywasinseekingtosupplementtheauthorityofGodby290
thatofthechurch。RomebeganbyenjoiningwhatGodhadnotforbidden，andsheendedbyforbiddingwhatHehadexplicitlyenjoined。
Manyearnestlydesiredtoreturntothepurityandsimplicitywhichcharacterizedtheprimitivechurch。TheyregardedmanyoftheestablishedcustomsoftheEnglishChurchasmonumentsofidolatry，andtheycouldnotinconscienceuniteinherworship。Butthechurch，beingsupportedbythecivilauthority，wouldpermitnodissentfromherforms。Attendanceuponherservicewasrequiredbylaw，andunauthorizedassembliesforreligiousworshipwereprohibited，underpenaltyofimprisonment，exile，anddeath。
AttheopeningoftheseventeenthcenturythemonarchwhohadjustascendedthethroneofEnglanddeclaredhisdeterminationtomakethePuritans\"conform，or……harrythemoutoftheland，orelseworse。\"——GeorgeBancroft，HistoryoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica，pt。1，ch。12，par。6。
Hunted，persecuted，andimprisoned，theycoulddiscerninthefuturenopromiseofbetterdays，andmanyyieldedtotheconvictionthatforsuchaswouldserveGodaccordingtothedictatesoftheirconscience，\"Englandwasceasingforevertobeahabitableplace。\"——J。G。Palfrey，HistoryofNewEngland，ch。3，par。43。SomeatlastdeterminedtoseekrefugeinHolland。
Difficulties，losses，andimprisonmentwereencountered。Theirpurposeswerethwarted，andtheywerebetrayedintothehandsoftheirenemies。Butsteadfastperseverancefinallyconquered，andtheyfoundshelteronthefriendlyshoresoftheDutchRepublic。
Intheirflighttheyhadlefttheirhouses，theirgoods，andtheirmeansoflivelihood。Theywerestrangersinastrangeland，amongapeopleofdifferentlanguageandcustoms。Theywereforcedtoresorttonewanduntriedoccupationstoearntheirbread。Middle-agedmen，whohadspenttheirlivesintillingthesoil，hadnowtolearnmechanicaltrades。Buttheycheerfullyacceptedthesituationandlostnotimeinidlenessorrepining。Thoughoftenpinchedwithpoverty，291
theythankedGodfortheblessingswhichwerestillgrantedthemandfoundtheirjoyinunmolestedspiritualcommunion。\"Theyknewtheywerepilgrims，andlookednotmuchonthosethings，butlifteduptheireyestoheaven，theirdearestcountry，andquietedtheirspirits。\"——Bancroft，pt。1，ch。12，par。15。
Inthemidstofexileandhardshiptheirloveandfaithwaxedstrong。TheytrustedtheLord’spromises，andHedidnotfailthemintimeofneed。Hisangelswerebytheirside，toencourageandsupportthem。AndwhenGod’shandseemedpointingthemacrossthesea，toalandwheretheymightfoundforthemselvesastate，andleavetotheirchildrenthepreciousheritageofreligiousliberty，theywentforward，withoutshrinking，inthepathofprovidence。
GodhadpermittedtrialstocomeuponHispeopletopreparethemfortheaccomplishmentofHisgraciouspurposetowardthem。Thechurchhadbeenbroughtlow，thatshemightbeexalted。GodwasabouttodisplayHispowerinherbehalf，togivetotheworldanotherevidencethatHewillnotforsakethosewhotrustinHim。HehadoverruledeventstocausethewrathofSatanandtheplotsofevilmentoadvanceHisgloryandtobringHispeopletoaplaceofsecurity。Persecutionandexilewereopeningthewaytofreedom。
WhenfirstconstrainedtoseparatefromtheEnglishChurch，thePuritanshadjoinedthemselvestogetherbyasolemncovenant，astheLord’sfreepeople，\"towalktogetherinallHiswaysmadeknownortobemadeknowntothem。\"——
J。Brown，ThePilgrimFathers，page74。Herewasthetruespiritofreform，thevitalprincipleofProtestantism。ItwaswiththispurposethatthePilgrimsdepartedfromHollandtofindahomeintheNewWorld。JohnRobinson，theirpastor，whowasprovidentiallypreventedfromaccompanyingthem，inhisfarewelladdresstotheexilessaid:
\"Brethren，wearenowerelongtopartasunder，andtheLordknowethwhetherIshallliveevertoseeyourfacesmore。ButwhethertheLordhathappointeditornot，I
292
chargeyoubeforeGodandHisblessedangelstofollowmenofartherthanI
havefollowedChrist。IfGodshouldrevealanythingtoyoubyanyotherinstrumentofHis，beasreadytoreceiveitaseveryouweretoreceiveanytruthofmyministry；forIamveryconfidenttheLordhathmoretruthandlightyettobreakforthoutofHisholyword。\"——Martyn，vol。5，p。70。
\"Formypart，Icannotsufficientlybewailtheconditionofthereformedchurches，whoarecometoaperiodinreligion，andwillgoatpresentnofartherthantheinstrumentsoftheirreformation。TheLutheranscannotbedrawntogobeyondwhatLuthersaw；……andtheCalvinists，yousee，stickfastwheretheywereleftbythatgreatmanofGod，whoyetsawnotallthings。Thisisamiserymuchtobelamented；forthoughtheywereburningandshininglightsintheirtime，yettheypenetratednotintothewholecounselofGod，butweretheynowliving，wouldbeaswillingtoembracefurtherlightasthatwhichtheyfirstreceived。\"——D。Neal，HistoryofthePuritans，vol。1，p。269。
\"Rememberyourchurchcovenant，inwhichyouhaveagreedtowalkinallthewaysoftheLord，madeortobemadeknownuntoyou。RememberyourpromiseandcovenantwithGodandwithoneanother，toreceivewhateverlightandtruthshallbemadeknowntoyoufromHiswrittenword；butwithal，takeheed，Ibeseechyou，whatyoureceivefortruth，andcompareitandweighitwithotherscripturesoftruthbeforeyouacceptit；foritisnotpossibletheChristianworldshouldcomesolatelyoutofsuchthickantichristiandarkness，andthatfullperfectionofknowledgeshouldbreakforthatonce。\"——Martyn，vol。5，pp。70，71。
ItwasthedesireforlibertyofconsciencethatinspiredthePilgrimstobravetheperilsofthelongjourneyacrossthesea，toendurethehardshipsanddangersofthewilderness，andwithGod’sblessingtolay，ontheshoresofAmerica，thefoundationofamightynation。YethonestandGod-fearing293
astheywere，thePilgrimsdidnotyetcomprehendthegreatprincipleofreligiousliberty。Thefreedomwhichtheysacrificedsomuchtosecureforthemselves，theywerenotequallyreadytogranttoothers。\"Veryfew，evenoftheforemostthinkersandmoralistsoftheseventeenthcentury，hadanyjustconceptionofthatgrandprinciple，theoutgrowthoftheNewTestament，whichacknowledgesGodasthesolejudgeofhumanfaith。\"——Ibid。，vol。5，p。
297。ThedoctrinethatGodhascommittedtothechurchtherighttocontroltheconscience，andtodefineandpunishheresy，isoneofthemostdeeplyrootedofpapalerrors。WhiletheReformersrejectedthecreedofRome，theywerenotentirelyfreefromherspiritofintolerance。Thedensedarknessinwhich，throughthelongagesofherrule，poperyhadenvelopedallChristendom，hadnotevenyetbeenwhollydissipated。SaidoneoftheleadingministersinthecolonyofMassachusettsBay:\"Itwastolerationthatmadetheworldantichristian；andthechurchnevertookharmbythepunishmentofheretics。\"——Ibid。，vol。
5，p。335。Theregulationwasadoptedbythecoloniststhatonlychurchmembersshouldhaveavoiceinthecivilgovernment。Akindofstatechurchwasformed，allthepeoplebeingrequiredtocontributetothesupportoftheclergy，andthemagistratesbeingauthorizedtosuppressheresy。Thusthesecularpowerwasinthehandsofthechurch。Itwasnotlongbeforethesemeasuresledtotheinevitableresult——persecution。
Elevenyearsaftertheplantingofthefirstcolony，RogerWilliamscametotheNewWorld。LiketheearlyPilgrimshecametoenjoyreligiousfreedom；
but，unlikethem，hesaw——whatsofewinhistimehadyetseen——thatthisfreedomwastheinalienablerightofall，whatevermightbetheircreed。Hewasanearnestseekerfortruth，withRobinsonholdingitimpossiblethatallthelightfromGod’swordhadyetbeenreceived。Williams\"wasthefirstpersoninmodernChristendomtoestablishcivilgovernmentonthedoctrineofthelibertyofconscience，theequalityofopinionsbefore294
thelaw。\"——Bancroft，pt。1，ch。15，par。16。Hedeclaredittobethedutyofthemagistratetorestraincrime，butnevertocontroltheconscience。
\"Thepublicorthemagistratesmaydecide，\"hesaid，\"whatisduefrommantoman；butwhentheyattempttoprescribeaman’sdutiestoGod，theyareoutofplace，andtherecanbenosafety；foritisclearthatifthemagistrateshasthepower，hemaydecreeonesetofopinionsorbeliefstodayandanothertomorrow；ashasbeendoneinEnglandbydifferentkingsandqueens，andbydifferentpopesandcouncilsintheRomanChurch；sothatbeliefwouldbecomeaheapofconfusion。\"——Martyn，vol。5，p。340。
Attendanceattheservicesoftheestablishedchurchwasrequiredunderapenaltyoffineorimprisonment。\"Williamsreprobatedthelaw；theworststatuteintheEnglishcodewasthatwhichdidbutenforceattendanceupontheparishchurch。Tocompelmentounitewiththoseofadifferentcreed，heregardedasanopenviolationoftheirnaturalrights；todragtopublicworshiptheirreligiousandtheunwilling，seemedonlylikerequiringhypocrisy……’Nooneshouldbeboundtoworship，or，’headded，’tomaintainaworship，againsthisownconsent。’’What！’exclaimedhisantagonists，amazedathistenets，’isnotthelaborerworthyofhishire？’
’Yes，’repliedhe，’fromthemthathirehim。’\"——Bancroft，pt。1，ch。15，par。2。
RogerWilliamswasrespectedandbelovedasafaithfulminister，amanofraregifts，ofunbendingintegrityandtruebenevolence；yethissteadfastdenialoftherightofcivilmagistratestoauthorityoverthechurch，andhisdemandforreligiousliberty，couldnotbetolerated。Theapplicationofthisnewdoctrine，itwasurged，would\"subvertthefundamentalstateandgovernmentofthecountry。\"——Ibid。，pt。1，ch。15，par。10。Hewassentencedtobanishmentfromthecolonies，and，finally，toavoidarrest，hewasforcedtoflee，amidthecoldandstormsofwinter，intotheunbrokenforest。
\"Forfourteenweeks，\"hesays，\"Iwassorelytossedinabitterseason，notknowingwhatbreadorbeddidmean。\"
295
But\"theravensfedmeinthewilderness，\"andahollowtreeoftenservedhimforashelter——Martyn，vol。5，pp。349，350。Thushecontinuedhispainfulflightthroughthesnowandthetracklessforest，untilhefoundrefugewithanIndiantribewhoseconfidenceandaffectionhehadwonwhileendeavoringtoteachthemthetruthsofthegospel。
Makinghiswayatlast，aftermonthsofchangeandwandering，totheshoresofNarragansettBay，hetherelaidthefoundationofthefirststateofmoderntimesthatinthefullestsenserecognizedtherightofreligiousfreedom。ThefundamentalprincipleofRogerWilliams’scolonywas\"thateverymanshouldhavelibertytoworshipGodaccordingtothelightofhisownconscience。\"——Ibid。，vol。5，p。354。Hislittlestate，RhodeIsland，becametheasylumoftheoppressed，anditincreasedandprospereduntilitsfoundationprinciples——civilandreligiousliberty——becamethecornerstonesoftheAmericanRepublic。
Inthatgrandolddocumentwhichourforefatherssetforthastheirbillofrights——theDeclarationofIndependence——theydeclared:\"Weholdthesetruthstobeself-evident，thatallmenarecreatedequal；thattheyareendowedbytheirCreatorwithcertainunalienablerights；thatamongthesearelife，liberty，andthepursuitofhappiness。\"AndtheConstitutionguarantees，inthemostexplicitterms，theinviolabilityofconscience:\"NoreligioustestshalleverberequiredasaqualificationtoanyofficeofpublictrustundertheUnitedStates。\"\"Congressshallmakenolawrespectinganestablishmentofreligion，orprohibitingthefreeexercisethereof。\"
\"TheframersoftheConstitutionrecognizedtheeternalprinciplethatman’srelationwithhisGodisabovehumanlegislation，andhisrightsofconscienceinalienable。Reasoningwasnotnecessarytoestablishthistruth；
weareconsciousofitinourownbosoms。Itisthisconsciousnesswhich，indefianceofhumanlaws，hassustainedsomanymartyrsintorturesandflames。TheyfeltthattheirdutytoGodwassuperiortohumanenactments，andthatmancouldexercise296
noauthorityovertheirconsciences。Itisaninbornprinciplewhichnothingcaneradicate。\"——Congressionaldocuments(U。S。A。)，serialNo。200，documentNo。271。
AsthetidingsspreadthroughthecountriesofEurope，ofalandwhereeverymanmightenjoythefruitofhisownlaborandobeytheconvictionsofhisownconscience，thousandsflockedtotheshoresoftheNewWorld。Coloniesrapidlymultiplied。\"Massachusetts，byspeciallaw，offeredfreewelcomeandaid，atthepubliccost，toChristiansofanynationalitywhomightflybeyondtheAtlantic’toescapefromwarsorfamine，ortheoppressionoftheirpersecutors。’Thusthefugitiveandthedowntroddenwere，bystatute，madetheguestsofthecommonwealth。\"——Martyn，vol。5，p。417。IntwentyyearsfromthefirstlandingatPlymouth，asmanythousandPilgrimsweresettledinNewEngland。
Tosecuretheobjectwhichtheysought，\"theywerecontenttoearnabaresubsistencebyalifeoffrugalityandtoil。Theyaskednothingfromthesoilbutthereasonablereturnsoftheirownlabor。Nogoldenvisionthrewadeceitfulhaloaroundtheirpath……Theywerecontentwiththeslowbutsteadyprogressoftheirsocialpolity。Theypatientlyenduredtheprivationsofthewilderness，wateringthetreeoflibertywiththeirtears，andwiththesweatoftheirbrow，tillittookdeeprootintheland。\"
TheBiblewasheldasthefoundationoffaith，thesourceofwisdom，andthecharterofliberty。Itsprincipleswerediligentlytaughtinthehome，intheschool，andinthechurch，anditsfruitsweremanifestinthrift，intelligence，purity，andtemperance。OnemightbeforyearsadwellerinthePuritansettlement，\"andnotseeadrunkard，orhearanoath，ormeetabeggar。\"——Bancroft，pt。1，ch。19，par。25。ItwasdemonstratedthattheprinciplesoftheBiblearethesurestsafeguardsofnationalgreatness。Thefeebleandisolatedcoloniesgrewtoaconfederationofpowerfulstates，andtheworldmarkedwithwonderthepeaceandprosperityof\"achurchwithoutapope，andastatewithoutaking。\"
Butcontinuallyincreasingnumberswereattractedtothe297
shoresofAmerica，actuatedbymotiveswidelydifferentfromthoseofthefirstPilgrims。Thoughtheprimitivefaithandpurityexertedawidespreadandmoldingpower，yetitsinfluencebecamelessandlessasthenumbersincreasedofthosewhosoughtonlyworldlyadvantage。
Theregulationadoptedbytheearlycolonists，ofpermittingonlymembersofthechurchtovoteortoholdofficeinthecivilgovernment，ledtomostperniciousresults。Thismeasurehadbeenacceptedasameansofpreservingthepurityofthestate，butitresultedinthecorruptionofthechurch。A
professionofreligionbeingtheconditionofsuffrageandofficeholding，many，actuatedsolelybymotivesofworldlypolicy，unitedwiththechurchwithoutachangeofheart。Thusthechurchescametoconsist，toaconsiderableextent，ofunconvertedpersons；andevenintheministrywerethosewhonotonlyhelderrorsofdoctrine，butwhowereignorantoftherenewingpoweroftheHolySpirit。Thusagainwasdemonstratedtheevilresults，sooftenwitnessedinthehistoryofthechurchfromthedaysofConstantinetothepresent，ofattemptingtobuildupthechurchbytheaidofthestate，ofappealingtothesecularpowerinsupportofthegospelofHimwhodeclared:\"Mykingdomisnotofthisworld。\"John18:36。Theunionofthechurchwiththestate，bethedegreeneversoslight，whileitmayappeartobringtheworldnearertothechurch，doesinrealitybutbringthechurchnearertotheworld。
ThegreatprinciplesonoblyadvocatedbyRobinsonandRogerWilliams，thattruthisprogressive，thatChristiansshouldstandreadytoacceptallthelightwhichmayshinefromGod’sholyword，waslostsightofbytheirdescendants。TheProtestantchurchesofAmerica，——andthoseofEuropeaswell，——sohighlyfavoredinreceivingtheblessingsoftheReformation，failedtopressforwardinthepathofreform。Thoughafewfaithfulmenarose，fromtimetotime，toproclaimnewtruthandexposelong-cherishederror，themajority，liketheJewsinChrist’sdayorthepapistsinthetimeofLuther，werecontenttobelieveastheirfathershad298
believedandtoliveastheyhadlived。Thereforereligionagaindegeneratedintoformalism；anderrorsandsuperstitionswhichwouldhavebeencastasidehadthechurchcontinuedtowalkinthelightofGod’sword，wereretainedandcherished。ThusthespiritinspiredbytheReformationgraduallydiedout，untiltherewasalmostasgreatneedofreformintheProtestantchurchesasintheRomanChurchinthetimeofLuther。Therewasthesameworldlinessandspiritualstupor，asimilarreverencefortheopinionsofmen，andsubstitutionofhumantheoriesfortheteachingsofGod’sword。
ThewidecirculationoftheBibleintheearlypartofthenineteenthcentury，andthegreatlightthusshedupontheworld，wasnotfollowedbyacorrespondingadvanceinknowledgeofrevealedtruth，orinexperimentalreligion。Satancouldnot，asinformerages，keepGod’swordfromthepeople；ithadbeenplacedwithinthereachofall；butinorderstilltoaccomplishhisobject，heledmanytovalueitbutlightly。MenneglectedtosearchtheScriptures，andthustheycontinuedtoacceptfalseinterpretations，andtocherishdoctrineswhichhadnofoundationintheBible。
Seeingthefailureofhiseffortstocrushoutthetruthbypersecution，SatanhadagainresortedtotheplanofcompromisewhichledtothegreatapostasyandtheformationoftheChurchofRome。HehadinducedChristianstoallythemselves，notnowwithpagans，butwiththosewho，bytheirdevotiontothethingsofthisworld，hadprovedthemselvestobeastrulyidolatersasweretheworshipersofgravenimages。Andtheresultsofthisunionwerenolessperniciousnowthaninformerages；prideandextravagancewerefosteredundertheguiseofreligion，andthechurchesbecamecorrupted。SatancontinuedtopervertthedoctrinesoftheBible，andtraditionsthatweretoruinmillionsweretakingdeeproot。Thechurchwasupholdinganddefendingthesetraditions，insteadofcontendingfor\"thefaithwhichwasoncedelivereduntothesaints。\"ThusweredegradedtheprinciplesforwhichtheReformershaddoneandsufferedsomuch。
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Chapter17
HeraldsoftheMorningOneofthemostsolemnandyetmostglorioustruthsrevealedintheBibleisthatofChrist’ssecondcomingtocompletethegreatworkofredemption。ToGod’spilgrimpeople，solonglefttosojournin\"theregionandshadowofdeath，\"aprecious，joy-inspiringhopeisgiveninthepromiseofHisappearing，whois\"theresurrectionandthelife，\"to\"bringhomeagainHisbanished。\"ThedoctrineofthesecondadventistheverykeynoteoftheSacredScriptures。FromthedaywhenthefirstpairturnedtheirsorrowingstepsfromEden，thechildrenoffaithhavewaitedthecomingofthePromisedOnetobreakthedestroyer’spowerandbringthemagaintothelostParadise。HolymenofoldlookedforwardtotheadventoftheMessiahinglory，astheconsummationoftheirhope。Enoch，onlytheseventhindescentfromthemthatdweltinEden，hewhoforthreecenturiesonearthwalkedwithhisGod，waspermittedtobeholdfromafarthecomingoftheDeliverer。
\"Behold，\"hedeclared，\"theLordcomethwithtenthousandsofHissaints，toexecutejudgmentuponall。\"Jude14，15。ThepatriarchJobinthenightofhisafflictionexclaimedwithunshakentrust:\"IknowthatmyRedeemerliveth，andthatHeshallstandatthelatterdayupontheearth:……inmyfleshshallIseeGod:whomIshallseeformyself，andmineeyesshallbehold，andnotanother。\"Job19:25-27。
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ThecomingofChristtousherinthereignofrighteousnesshasinspiredthemostsublimeandimpassionedutterancesofthesacredwriters。ThepoetsandprophetsoftheBiblehavedweltuponitinwordsglowingwithcelestialfire。ThepsalmistsangofthepowerandmajestyofIsrael’sKing:\"OutofZion，theperfectionofbeauty，Godhathshined。OurGodshallcome，andshallnotkeepsilence……Heshallcalltotheheavensfromabove，andtotheearth，thatHemayjudgeHispeople。\"Psalm50:2-4。\"Lettheheavensrejoice，andlettheearthbeglad……beforetheLord:forHecometh，forHecomethtojudgetheearth:Heshalljudgetheworldwithrighteousness，andthepeoplewithHistruth。\"Psalm96:11-13。
SaidtheprophetIsaiah:\"Awakeandsing，yethatdwellindust:forthydewisasthedewofherbs，andtheearthshallcastoutthedead。\"\"Thydeadmenshalllive，togetherwithmydeadbodyshalltheyarise。\"\"Hewillswallowupdeathinvictory；andtheLordGodwillwipeawaytearsfromoffallfaces；andtherebukeofHispeopleshallHetakeawayfromoffalltheearth:fortheLordhathspokenit。Anditshallbesaidinthatday，Lo，thisisourGod；wehavewaitedforHim，andHewillsaveus:thisistheLord；wehavewaitedforHim，wewillbegladandrejoiceinHissalvation。\"
