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No charge could be brought against the moral character of this
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proscribed class. Even their enemies declared them to be a peaceable,
quiet, pious people. Their grand offense was that they would not
worship God according to the will of the pope. For this crime, every
humiliation, insult, and torture that men or devils could invent was
heaped upon them.
When Rome at one time determined to exterminate the hated
sect, a bull was issued by the pope condemning them as heretics,
and delivering them to slaughter. They were not accused as idlers,
or dishonest, or disorderly; but it was declared that they had an ap-
pearance of piety and sanctity that seduced “the sheep of the true
fold.” Therefore the pope ordered “that the malicious and abom-
inable sect of malignants,” if they refuse to abjure, “be crushed like
venomous snakes.” Did this haughty potentate expect to meet those
words again? Did he know that they were registered in the books
of Heaven, to confront him at the Judgment? “Inasmuch as ye have
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done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,” said Jesus, “ye
have done it unto me.” [Matthew 25:40.]
This bull invited all Catholics to take up the cross against the
heretics. In order to stimulate them in this cruel work, it absolved
them from all ecclesiastical pains and penalties, it released all who
joined the crusade from any oaths they might have taken; it legalized
their title to any property which they might have illegally acquired,
and promised remission of all their sins to such as should kill any
heretic. It a
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ordered their domestics to abandon them, forbade all persons to
give them any aid whatever, and empowered all persons to take
possession of their property. How clearly does this document reveal
the master spirit behind the scenes! It is the roar of the dragon, and
not the voice of Christ, that is heard therein.
The papal leaders would not conform their characters to the great
standard of God’s law, but erected a standard to suit themselves, and
determined to compel all to conform to this because Rome willed it.
The most horrible tragedies were enacted. Corrupt and blasphemous
priests and popes were doing the work which Satan appointed them.
Mercy had no place in their natures. The same spirit that crucified
Christ, and that slew the apostles, the same that moved the blood-
thirsty Nero against the faithful in his day, was at work to rid the
earth of those who were beloved of God.
The persecutions visited for many centuries upon this God-fear-
ing people were endured by them with a patience and constancy that
honored their Redeemer. Notwithstanding the crusades against them,
and the inhuman butchery to which they were subjected, they contin-
ued to send out their missionaries to scatter the precious truth. They
were hunted to the death; yet their blood watered the seed sown,
and it failed not of yielding fruit. Thus the Waldenses witnessed for
God, centuries before the birth of Luther. Scattered over many lands,
they planted the seeds of the Reformation that began in the time of
Wycliffe, grew broad and deep in the days of Luther, and is to be
carried forward to the close of time by those who also are willing to
suffer all things for “the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus
Christ.” [Revelation 1:9.]
Chapter 5—Early Reformers
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So bitter had been the war waged upon the Bible, that at times
there were very few copies in existence; but God had not suffered his
word to be wholly destroyed. Its truths were not to be forever hidden.
He could as easily unchain the words of life as he could open prison
doors and unbolt iron gates to set his servants free. In the different
countries of Europe, men were moved by the Spirit of God to search
for the truth as for hidden treasure. Providentially guided to the
Holy Scriptures, they studied the sacred pages with intense interest.
They were willing to accept the light, at any cost to themselves.
Though they did not see all things clearly, they were enabled to
perceive many long-buried truths. As Heaven-sent messengers they
went forth, rending asunder the chains of error and superstition, and
calling upon those who had been so long enslaved to arise and assert
their liberty.
Except among the Waldenses, the word of God had for ages been
locked up in languages known only to the learned; but the time had
come for the Scriptures to be translated, and given to the people
of different lands in their native tongue. The world had passed its
midnight. The hours of darkness were wearing away, and in many
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lands appeared tokens of the coming dawn.
In the fourteenth century arose in England the “morning star of
the Reformation.” John Wycliffe was the herald of reform, not for
England alone, but for all Christendom. He was the progenitor of
the Puritans; his era was an oasis in the desert.
Wycliffe received a liberal education, and with him the fear of
the Lord was the begi
for his fervent piety as well as for his remarkable talents and sound
scholarship. He was educated in the civil and the canon law, and
sought to become acquainted with every branch of knowledge. In his
after-labors the value of this early discipline was apparent. While he
could wield the sword of the Spirit, he was acquainted also with the
practice of the schools. This combination of accomplishments won
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for him the respect of all parties. His followers saw with satisfaction
that their teacher was foremost among the sages and doctors of his
time. The Lord saw fit to intrust the work of reform to one whose
intellectual ability would give character and dignity to his labors.
This silenced the voice of contempt, and prevented the adversaries
of truth from attempting to put discredit upon his cause by ridiculing
the ignorance of the advocate.
When Wycliffe had mastered the learning of the schools, he
entered upon the study of the Scriptures. Every subject to which he
turned his attention he was accustomed to investigate thoroughly, and
he pursued the same course with the Bible. Heretofore he had felt
a great want, which neither his scholastic studies nor the teachings
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of the church could satisfy. In the Scriptures he found that which
he had before sought in vain. Here he saw the plan of salvation
revealed, and Christ set forth as the only advocate for man. He saw
that Rome had forsaken the Biblical paths for human traditions. He
gave himself to the service of Christ, and determined to proclaim