work of regeneration must be wrought in the heart and conscience by the
power of the Holy Spirit； not by the decrees of councils。 While the people
of Geneva had cast off the authority of Rome； they were not so ready to
renounce the vices that had flourished under her rule。 To establish here the
pure principles of the gospel and to prepare this people to fill worthily
the position to which Providence seemed calling them were not light tasks。
Farel was confident that he had found in Calvin one whom he could unite with
himself in this work。 In the name of God he solemnly adjured the young
evangelist to remain and labor here。 Calvin drew back in alarm。 Timid and
peace…loving； he shrank from contact with the bold； independent； and even
violent spirit of the Genevese。 The feebleness of his health； together with
his studious habits； led him to seek retirement。 Believing that by his pen
he could best serve the cause of reform； he desired to find a quiet
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retreat for study； and there； through the press； instruct and build up the
churches。 But Farel's solemn admonition came to him as a call from Heaven；
and he dared not refuse。 It seemed to him； he said； 〃that the hand of God
was stretched down from heaven； that it lay hold of him； and fixed him
irrevocably to the place he was so impatient to leave。〃 D'Aubigne； History
of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin； b。 9； ch。 17。
At this time great perils surrounded the Protestant cause。 The anathemas of
the pope thundered against Geneva； and mighty nations threatened it with
destruction。 How was this little city to resist the powerful hierarchy that
had so often forced kings and emperors to submission？ How could it stand
against the armies of the world's great conquerors？
Throughout Christendom； Protestantism was menaced by formidable foes。 The
first triumphs of the Reformation past； Rome summoned new forces； hoping to
accomplish its destruction。 At this time the order of the Jesuits was
created； the most cruel； unscrupulous； and powerful of all the champions of
popery。 Cut off from earthly ties and human interests； dead to the claims of
natural affection； reason and conscience wholly silenced； they knew no rule；
no tie； but that of their order； and no duty but to extend its power。 （See
Appendix。） The gospel of Christ had enabled its adherents to meet danger and
endure suffering； undismayed by cold； hunger； toil； and poverty； to uphold
the banner of truth in face of the rack； the dungeon； and the stake。 To
combat these forces； Jesuitism inspired its followers with a fanaticism that
enabled them to endure like dangers； and to oppose to the power of truth all
the weapons of deception。 There was no crime too great for them to commit；
no deception too base for them to practice； no disguise too difficult for
them to assume。 Vowed to perpetual poverty and humility； it was their
studied aim to secure wealth and power； to be devoted to the overthrow of
Protestantism； and the re…establishment of the papal supremacy。
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When appearing as members of their order； they wore a garb of sanctity；
visiting prisons and hospitals； ministering to the sick and the poor；
professing to have renounced the world； and bearing the sacred name of
Jesus； who went about doing good。 But under this blameless exterior the most
criminal and deadly purposes were often concealed。 It was a fundamental
principle of the order that the end justifies the means。 By this code；
lying； theft； perjury； assassination； were not only pardonable but
commendable； when they served the interests of the church。 Under various
disguises the Jesuits worked their way into offices of state； climbing up to
be the counselors of kings； and shaping the policy of nations。 They became
servants to act as spies upon their masters。 They established colleges for
the sons of princes and nobles； and schools for the common people； and the
children of Protestant parents were drawn into an observance of popish
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。
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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 igno