of apostolic times. Rejecting the supremacy of pope and prelate, they held
the Bible as the only supreme, infallible authority. Their pastors, unlike
the lordly priests of Rome, followed the example of their Master, who
“came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” They fed the flock of
God, leading them to the green pastures and living fountains of His holy
word. Far from the monuments of human pomp and pride, the people
assembled, not in magnificent churches or grand cathedrals, but beneath
the shadow of the mountains, in the Alpine valleys, or, in time of danger,
in some rocky stronghold, to listen to the words of truth from the
servants of Christ. The pastors not only preached the gospel, but they
visited the sick, catechized the children, admonished the erring, and
labored to settle disputes and promote harmony and brotherly love. In
times of peace they were sustained by the freewill offerings of the
people; but, like Paul the tent-maker, each learned some trade or
profession by which, if necessary, to provide for his own support.
From their pastors the youth received instruction. While attention was
given to branches of general learning, the Bible was made the chief study.
The Gospels of Matthew and John were committed to memory, with many of the
Epistles. They were employed also in copying the Scriptures. Some
manuscripts contained the whole Bible, others only brief selections, to
which some simple explanations of the text were added by those who were
able to expound the Scriptures. Thus were brought forth the treasures of
truth so long concealed by those who sought to exalt themselves above God.
By patient, untiring labor, sometimes in the deep, dark caverns of the
earth, by the light of torches, the sacred Scriptures were written out,
verse by verse, chapter by chapter. Thus the work went on, the revealed
will of God shining out like pure gold; how much brighter, clearer, and
more powerful because of the trials undergone for its sake, only those
could realize who were engaged in the work. Angels from heaven surrounded
these faithful workers.
Satan had urged on the papal priests and prelates to bury the Word of
truth beneath the rubbish of error, heresy, and superstition; but in a
most wonderful manner it was preserved uncorrupted through all the ages of
darkness. It bore not the stamp of man, but the impress of God. Men have
been unwearied in their efforts to obscure the plain, simple meaning of
the Scriptures, and to make them contradict their own testimony; but like
the ark upon the billowy deep, the word of God outrides the storms that
threaten it with destruction. As the mine has rich veins of gold and
silver hidden beneath the surface, so that all must dig who would discover
its precious stores, so the Holy Scriptures have treasures of truth that
are revealed only to the earnest, humble, prayerful seeker. God designed
the Bible to be a lesson-book to all mankind, in childhood, youth, and
manhood, and to be studied through all time. He gave His word to men as a
revelation of Himself. Every new truth discerned is a fresh disclosure of
the character of its Author. The study of the Scriptures is the means
divinely ordained to bring men into closer connection with their Creator,
and to give them a clearer knowledge of His will. It is the medium of
communication between God and man.
While the Waldenses regarded the fear of the Lord as the beginning of
wisdom, they were not blind to the importance of a contact with the world,
a knowledge of men and of active life, in expanding the mind and
quickening the perceptions. From their schools in the mountains some of
the youth were sent to institutions of learning in the cities of France or
Italy, where was a more extended field for study, thought, and observation
than in their native Alps. The youth thus sent forth were exposed to
temptation, they witnessed vice, they encountered Satan’s wily agents, who
urged upon them the most subtle heresies and the most dangerous
deceptions. But their education from childhood had been of a character to
prepare them for all this.
In the schools whither they went, they were not to make confidants of any.
Their garments were so prepared as to conceal their greatest treasure,—the
precious manuscripts of the Scriptures. These, the fruit of months and
years of toil, they carried with them, and whenever they could do so
without exciting suspicion, they cautiously placed some portion in the way
of those whose hearts seemed open to receive the truth. From their
mother’s knee the Waldensian youth had been trained with this purpose in
view; they understood their work, and faithfully performed it. Converts to
the true faith were won in these institutions of learning, and frequently
its principles were found to be permeating the entire school; yet the
papal leaders could not, by the closest inquiry, trace the so-called
corrupting heresy to its source.
The spirit of Christ is a missionary spirit. The very first impulse of the
renewed heart is to bring others also to the Saviour. Such was the spirit
of the Vaudois Christians. They felt that God required more of them than
merely to preserve the truth in its purity in their own churches; that a
solemn responsibility rested upon them to let their light shine forth to
those who were in darkness; by the mighty power of God’s word they sought
to break the bondage which Rome had imposed. The Vaudois ministers were
trained as missionaries, every one who expected to enter the ministry
being required first to gain an experience as an evangelist. Each was to
serve three years in some mission field before taking charge of a church
at home. This service, requiring at the outset self-denial and sacrifice,
was a fitting introduction to the pastor’s life in those times that tried
men’s souls. The youth who received ordination to the sacred office saw
before them, not the prospect of earthly wealth and glory, but a life of
toil and danger, and possibly a martyr’s fate. The missionaries went out
two and two, as Jesus sent forth His disciples. With each young man was
usually associated a man of age and experience, the youth being under the
guidance of his companion, who was held responsible for his training, and
whose instruction he was required to heed. These co-laborers were not
always together, but often met for prayer and counsel, thus strengthening
each other in the faith.
To have made known the object of their mission would have insured its
defeat; therefore they carefully concealed their real character. Every
minister possessed a knowledge of some trade or profession, and the
missionaries prosecuted their work under cover of a secular calling.
Usually they chose that of merchant or peddler. “They carried silks,
jewelry, and other articles, at that time not easily purchasable save at
distant marts; and they were welcomed as merchants where they would have
been spurned as missionaries.”(101) All the while their hearts were
uplifted to God for wisdom to present a treasure more precious than gold
or gems. They secretly carried about with them copies of the Bible, in
whole or in part; and whenever an opportunity was presented, they called
the attention of their customers to these manuscripts. Often an interest
to read God’s word was thus awakened, and some portion was gladly left
with those who desired to receive it.
The work of these missionaries began in the plains and valleys at the foot
of their own mountains, but it extended far beyond these limits. With
naked feet and in garments coarse and travel-stained as were those of
their Master, they passed through great cities, and penetrated to distant
lands. Everywhere they scattered the precious seed. Churches sprung up in
their path, and the blood of martyrs witnessed for the truth. The day of
God will reveal a rich harvest of souls garnered by the labors of these
faithful men. Veiled and silent, the word of God was making its way
through Christendom, and meeting a glad reception in the homes and hearts
of men.
To the Waldenses the Scriptures were not merely a record of God’s dealings
with men in the past, and a revelation of the responsibilities and duties
of the present, but an unfolding of the perils and glories of the future.
They believed that the end of all things was not far distant; and as they
studied the Bible with prayer and tears, they were the more deeply
impressed with its precious utterances, and with their duty to make known
to others its saving truths. They saw the plan of salvation clearly
revealed in the sacred pages, and they found comfort, hope, and peace in
believing in Jesus. As the light illuminated their understanding and made
glad their hearts, they longed to shed its beams upon those who were in
the darkness of papal error.
They saw that under the guidance of pope and priests, multitudes were
vainly endeavoring to obtain pardon by afflicting their bodies for the sin
of their souls. Taught to trust to their good works to save them, they
were ever looking to themselves, their minds dwelling upon their sinful
condition, seeing themselves exposed to the wrath of God, afflicting soul
and body, yet finding no relief. Thus conscientious souls were bound by
the doctrines of Rome. Thousands abandoned friends and kindred, and spent
their lives in convent cells. By oft-repeated fasts and cruel scourgings,
by midnight vigils, by prostration for weary hours upon the cold, damp
stones of their dreary abode, by long pilgrimages, by humiliating penance
and fearful torture, thousands vainly sought to obtain peace of
conscience. Oppressed with a sense of sin, and haunted with the fear of
God’s avenging wrath, many suffered on, until exhausted nature gave way,
and without one ray of light or hope, they sank into the tomb.
The Waldenses longed to break to these starving souls the bread of life,
to open to them the messages of peace in the promises of God, and to point
them to Christ as their only hope of salvation. The doctrine that good
works can atone for the transgression of God’s law, they held to be based
upon falsehood. Reliance upon human merit intercepts the view of Christ’s
infinite love. Jesus died as a sacrifice for man because the fallen race
can do nothing to recommend themselves to God. The merits of a crucified
and risen Saviour are the foundation of the Christian’s faith. The
dependence of the soul upon Christ is as real, and its connection with Him
must be as close, as that of a limb to the body, or of a branch to the
vine.
The teachings of popes and priests had led men to look upon the character
of God, and even of Christ, as stern, gloomy, and forbidding. The Saviour
was represented as so far devoid of sympathy with man in his fallen state
that the mediation of priests and saints must be invoked. Those whose
minds had been enlightened by the word of God longed to point these souls
to Jesus as their compassionate, loving Saviour, standing with
outstretched arms, inviting all to come to Him with their burden of sin,
their care and weariness. They longed to clear away the obstructions which
Satan had piled up that men might not see the promises, and come directly
to God, confessing their sins, and obtaining pardon and peace.
Eagerly did the Vaudois missionary unfold to the inquiring mind the
precious truths of the gospel. Cautiously he produced the carefully
written portions of the Holy Scriptures. It was his greatest joy to give
hope to the conscientious, sin-stricken soul, who could see only a God of
vengeance, waiting to execute justice. With quivering lip and tearful eye
did he, often on bended knees, open to his brethren the precious promises
that reveal the sinner’s only hope. Thus the light of truth penetrated
many a darkened mind, rolling back the cloud of gloom, until the Sun of
Righteousness shone into the heart with healing in His beams. It was often
the case that some portion of Scripture was read again and again, the
hearer desiring it to be repeated, as if he would assure himself that he
had heard aright. Especially was the repetition of these words eagerly
desired: “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all
sin.”(102) “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must
the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have eternal life.”(103)
Many were undeceived in regard to the claims of Rome. They saw how vain is
the mediation of men or angels in behalf of the sinner. As the true light
dawned upon their minds, they exclaimed with rejoicing, “Christ is my
priest; His blood is my sacrifice; His altar is my confessional.” They
cast themselves wholly upon the merits of Jesus, repeating the words,
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him.”(104) “There is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”(105)
The assurance of a Saviour’s love seemed too much for some of these poor
tempest-tossed souls to realize. So great was the relief which it brought,
such a flood of light was shed upon them, that they seemed transported to
heaven. Their hands were laid confidingly in the hand of Christ; their
feet were planted upon the Rock of Ages. All fear of death was banished.
They could now covet the prison and the fagot if they might thereby honor
the name of their Redeemer.
In secret places the word of God was thus brought forth and read,
sometimes to a single soul, sometimes to a little company who were longing
for light and truth. Often the entire night was spent in this manner. So
great would be the wonder and admiration of the listeners that the
messenger of mercy was not infrequently compelled to cease his reading
until the understanding could grasp the tidings of salvation. Often would
words like these be uttered: “Will God indeed accept _my_ offering? Will
He smile upon _me_? Will He pardon _me_?” The answer was read, “Come unto
Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”(106)
Faith grasped the promise, and the glad response was heard: “No more long
pilgrimages to make; no more painful journeys to holy shrines. I may come
to Jesus just as I am, sinful and unholy, and He will not spurn the
penitential prayer. ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee.’ Mine, even mine, may be
forgiven!”
A tide of sacred joy would fill the heart, and the name of Jesus would be
magnified by praise and thanksgiving. Those happy souls returned to their
homes to diffuse light, to repeat to others, as well as they could, their
new experience; that they had found the true and living Way. There was a
strange and solemn power in the words of Scripture that spoke directly to
the hearts of those who were longing for the truth. It was the voice of
God, and it carried conviction to those who heard.
The messenger of truth went on his way; but his appearance of humility,
his sincerity, his earnestness and deep fervor, were subjects of frequent
remark. In many instances his hearers had not asked him whence he came or
whither he went. They had been so overwhelmed, at first with surprise, and
afterward with gratitude and joy, that they had not thought to question
him. When they had urged him to accompany them to their homes, he had
replied that he must visit the lost sheep of the flock. Could he have been
an angel from heaven? they queried.
In many cases the messenger of truth was seen no more. He had made his way
to other lands, or he was wearing out his life in some unknown dungeon, or
perhaps his bones were whitening on the spot where he had witnessed for
the truth. But the words he had left behind could not be destroyed. They
were doing their work in the hearts of men; the blessed results will be
fully known only in the judgment.
The Waldensian missionaries were invading the kingdom of Satan, and the
powers of darkness aroused to greater vigilance. Every effort to advance
the truth was watched by the prince of evil, and he excited the fears of
his agents. The papal leaders saw a portent of danger to their cause from
the labors of these humble itinerants. If the light of truth were allowed
to shine unobstructed, it would sweep away the heavy clouds of error that
enveloped the people; it would direct the minds of men to God alone, and
would eventually destroy the supremacy of Rome.
The very existence of this people, holding the faith of the ancient
church, was a constant testimony to Rome’s apostasy, and therefore excited
the most bitter hatred and persecution. Their refusal to surrender the
Scriptures was also an offense that Rome could not tolerate. She
determined to blot them from the earth. Now began the most terrible
crusades against God’s people in their mountain homes. Inquisitors were
put upon their track, and the scene of innocent Abel falling before the
murderous Cain was often repeated.
Again and again were their fertile lands laid waste, their dwellings and
chapels swept away, so that where once were flourishing fields and the
homes of an innocent, industrious people, there remained only a desert. As
the ravenous beast is rendered more furious by the taste of blood, so the
rage of the papists was kindled to greater intensity by the sufferings of
their victims. Many of these witnesses for a pure faith were pursued
across the mountains, and hunted down in the valleys where they were
hidden, shut in by mighty forests and pinnacles of rock.
No charge could be brought against the moral character of this 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.(107) They were not accused as idlers, or dishonest, or
disorderly; but it was declared that they had an appearance of piety and
sanctity that seduced “the sheep of the true fold.” Therefore the pope
ordered “that malicious and abominable sect of malignants,” if they
“refuse to abjure, to be crushed like venomous snakes.”(108) 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 done it unto one of the least of these My brethren,”
said Jesus, “ye have done it unto Me.”(109)
This bull called upon all members of the church to join the crusade
against the heretics. As an incentive to engage in this cruel work, it
“absolved from all ecclesiastical pains and penalties, general and
particular; it released all who joined the crusade from any oaths they
might have taken; it legitimatized their title to any property they might
have illegally acquired; and promised remission of all their sins to such
as should kill any heretic. It annulled all contracts made in favor of
Vaudois, 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.” This document clearly reveals 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 slew the apostles, the
same that moved the bloodthirsty 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-fearing 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 continued 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.”(110)
5. JOHN WYCLIFFE.
[Illustration: Chapter header.]
Before the Reformation, there were at times but very few copies of the
Bible 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 hid
treasures. 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 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. The great protest against Rome which it
was permitted him to utter, was never to be silenced. That protest opened
the struggle which was to result in the emancipation of individuals, of
churches, and of nations.
Wycliffe received a liberal education, and with him the fear of the Lord
was the beginning of wisdom. He was noted at college for his fervent piety
as well as for his remarkable talents and sound scholarship. In his thirst
for knowledge he sought to become acquainted with every branch of
learning. He was educated in the scholastic philosophy, in the canons of
the church, and in the civil law, especially that of his own country. In
his after-labors the value of this early training was apparent. A thorough
acquaintance with the speculative philosophy of his time enabled him to
expose its errors; and by his study of national and ecclesiastical law he
was prepared to engage in the great struggle for civil and religious
liberty. While he could wield the weapons drawn from the word of God, he
had acquired the intellectual discipline of the schools, and he understood
the tactics of the schoolmen. The power of his genius and the extent and
thoroughness of his knowledge commanded the respect of both friends and
foes. His adherents saw with satisfaction that their champion stood
foremost among the leading minds of the nation; and his enemies were
prevented from casting contempt upon the cause of reform by exposing the
ignorance or weakness of its supporter.
While Wycliffe was still at college, he entered upon the study of the
Scriptures. In those early times, when the Bible existed only in the
ancient languages, scholars were enabled to find their way to the fountain
of truth, which was closed to the uneducated classes. Thus already the way
had been prepared for Wycliffe’s future work as a Reformer.
Men of learning had studied the word of God, and had found the great truth
of His free grace there revealed. In their teachings they had spread a
knowledge of this truth, and had led others to turn to the Living Oracles.
When Wycliffe’s attention was directed to the Scriptures, he entered upon
their investigation with the same thoroughness which had enabled him to
master the learning of the schools. Heretofore he had felt a great want,
which neither his scholastic studies nor the teaching of the church could
satisfy. In the word of God 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 gave himself to the service of Christ, and
determined to proclaim the truths he had discovered.