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rites。 All the outward pomp and display of the Romish worship was brought to
bear to confuse the mind and dazzle and captivate the imagination； and thus
the liberty for which the fathers had toiled and bled was betrayed by the
sons。 The Jesuits rapidly spread themselves over Europe； and wherever they
went； there followed a revival of popery。
To give them greater power； a bull was issued re…establishing the
inquisition。 （See Appendix。） Notwithstanding the general abhorrence with
which it was regarded； even in Catholic countries； this terrible tribunal
was again set up by popish rulers； and atrocities too terrible to bear the
light of day were repeated in its secret dungeons。 In many countries；
thousands upon thousands of the very flower of the nation； the purest and
noblest； the most intellectual and highly educated； pious and devoted
pastors； industrious and patriotic citizens； brilliant scholars； talented
artists； skillful artisans； were slain or forced to flee to other lands。
Such were the means which Rome had invoked to quench the light of the
Reformation； to withdraw from men the Bible； and to restore the ignorance
and superstition of the Dark
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Ages。 But under God's blessing and the labors of those noble men whom He had
raised up to succeed Luther； Protestantism was not overthrown。 Not to the
favor or arms of princes was it to owe its strength。 The smallest countries；
the humblest and least powerful nations； became its strongholds。 It was
little Geneva in the midst of mighty foes plotting her destruction； it was
Holland on her sandbanks by the northern sea； wrestling against the tyranny
of Spain； then the greatest and most opulent of kingdoms； it was bleak；
sterile Sweden； that gained victories for the Reformation。
For nearly thirty years Calvin labored at Geneva； first to establish there a
church adhering to the morality of the Bible； and then for the advancement
of the Reformation throughout Europe。 His course as a public leader was not
faultless； nor were his doctrines free from error。 But he was instrumental
in promulgating truths that were of special importance in his time； in
maintaining the principles of Protestantism against the fast…returning tide
of popery； and in promoting in the reformed churches simplicity and purity
of life； in place of the pride and corruption fostered under the Romish
teaching。
From Geneva； publications and teachers went out to spread the reformed
doctrines。 To this point the persecuted of all lands looked for instruction；
counsel； and encouragement。 The city of Calvin became a refuge for the
hunted Reformers of all Western Europe。 Fleeing from the awful tempests that
continued for centuries； the fugitives came to the gates of Geneva。
Starving； wounded； bereft of home and kindred； they were warmly welcomed and
tenderly cared for； and finding a home here； they blessed the city of their
adoption by their skill； their learning； and their piety。 Many who sought
here a refuge returned to their own countries to resist the tyranny of Rome。
John Knox； the brave Scotch Reformer； not a few of the English Puritans； the
Protestants of Holland and of Spain； and the Huguenots of France carried
from Geneva the torch of truth to lighten the darkness of their native
lands。
（237）
Chapter 13
The Netherlands and Scandinavia
In The Netherlands the papal tyranny very early called forth resolute
protest。 Seven hundred years before Luther's time the Roman pontiff was thus
fearlessly impeached by two bishops； who； having been sent on an embassy to
Rome； had learned the true character of the 〃holy see〃： God 〃has made His
queen and spouse； the church； a noble and everlasting provision for her
family； with a dowry that is neither fading nor corruptible； and given her
an eternal crown and scepter； 。 。 。 all which benefits you like a thief
intercept。 You set up yourself in the temple of God； instead of a pastor；
you are become a wolf to the sheep； 。 。 。 you would make us believe you are
a supreme bishop； but you rather behave like a tyrant。 。 。 。 Whereas you
ought to be a servant of servants； as you call yourself； you endeavor to
become a lord of lords。 。 。 。 You bring the commands of God into contempt。 。
。 。 The Holy Ghost is the builder of all churches as far as the earth
extends。 。 。 。 The city of our God； of which we are the citizens； reaches to
all the regions of the heavens； and it is greater than the city； by the holy
prophets named Babylon； which pretends to be divine； wins herself to heaven；
and brags that her wisdom is immortal； and finally； though without reason；
that she never did err； nor ever can。〃Gerard Brandt； History of the
Reformation in and About the Low Countries； b。 1； p。 6。
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Others arose from century to century to echo this protest。 And those early
teachers who； traversing different lands and known by various names； bore
the character of the Vaudois missionaries； and spread everywhere the
knowledge of the gospel； penetrated to the Netherlands。 Their doctrines
spread rapidly。 The Waldensian Bible they translated in verse into the Dutch
language。 They declared 〃that there was great advantage in it； no jests； no
fables； no trifles； no deceits； but the words of truth； that indeed there
was here and there a hard crust； but that the marrow and sweetness of what
was good and holy might be easily discovered in it。〃Ibid。； b。 1； p。 14。
Thus wrote the friends of the ancient faith； in the twelfth century。
Now began the Romish persecutions； but in the midst of fagots and torture
the believers continued to multiply； steadfastly declaring that the Bible is
the only infallible authority in religion； and that 〃no man should be
coerced to believe； but should be won by preaching。〃Martyn； vol。 2； p。 87。
The teachings of Luther found a congenial soil in the Netherlands； and
earnest and faithful men arose to preach the gospel。 From one of the
provinces of Holland came Menno Simons。 Educated a Roman Catholic and
ordained to the priesthood； he was wholly ignorant of the Bible； and he
would not read it for fear of being beguiled into heresy。 When a doubt
concerning the doctrine of transubstantiation forced itself upon him； he
regarded it as a temptation from Satan； and by prayer and confession sought
to free himself from it； but in vain。 By mingling in scenes of dissipation
he endeavored to silence the accusing voice of conscience； but without
avail。 After a time he was led to the study of the New Testament； and this；
with Luther's writings； caused him to accept the reformed faith。 He soon
after witnessed in a neighboring village the beheading of a man who was put
to death for having been rebaptized。 This led him to study the Bible in
regard to infant baptism。 He could find no evidence for it in the
Scriptures； but saw that repentance and faith are
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everywhere required as the condition of receiving baptism。
Menno withdrew from the Roman Church and devoted his life to teaching the
truths which he had received。 In both Germany and the Netherlands a class of
fanatics had risen； advocating absurd and seditious doctrines； outraging
order and decency； and proceeding to violence and insurrection。 Menno saw
the horrible results to which these movements would inevitably lead； and he
strenuously opposed the erroneous teachings and wild schemes of the
fanatics。 There were many； however； who had been misled by these fanatics；
but who had renounced their pernicious doctrines； and there were still
remaining many descendants of the ancient Christians； the fruits of the
Waldensian teaching。 Among these classes Menno labored with great zeal and
success。
For twenty…five years he traveled； with his wife and children； enduring
great hardships and privations； and frequently in peril of his life。 He
traversed the Netherlands and northern Germany； laboring chiefly among the
humbler classes but exerting a widespread influence。 Naturally eloquent；
though possessing a limited education； he w