The Holy Scripture - english version B.indd - Sabbat

392Interpretation and use of of thesepropheciesin post-reformation times.THREE centuries have rolled by since the accomplishment of the gloriousReformation. These centuries have a double aspect - a Protestant, and a Papal. Onthe one hand, they present the spectaccle of an era of liberty and light ; and, onthe other hand, of reaction and revolution.In the history of Protestantism these centuries have been an era of liberty,civil and religious. In A.D. 1500 there was not a free nation inEurope ; all were subject to the tyrannical government of Rome. Now halfEurope and America are free from that intolerable yoke. In the year 1500 there washardly a Protestant to be found in the world ; Rome had exterminated them all byprolonged and cruel persecution. At the present day Protestants are 150,000,000in number.And the last three centuries have been an era of light. At their commencementthe human mind experienced an emancipation, and was furnished with newinstruments. Learning was revived, and the art of printing discovered. Sincethen the word of God has been multiplied, translated, and expounded as neverbefore. And the understanding of prophecy ahs shared the general advance.During this time libraries have been written on the prophetic Scriptures. Mightyinterpreters ahve been raised up, men such as Mede, Sir Isaac Newton, Elliott,whose investigations have drawn back the veil of long continued ignorance, andlet in new light upon some of the darkest obscurities of the theme. Interpretershave risen in groups like constellations of stars, and knowledge ahs increased.On the other hand, post-Reformation times have been times of Papal reactionand revolution. In the first place, the Protestant Reformation was encounteredby a tremendous Papal reaction, the rising wave of life and liberty was met bya counterwave of resistance. Hardly was the ship of a Protestant Church set freeand launched upon the deep than there arose a mighty tempest. The resurrectionof the slain "witnesses" of Christ in the person of the reformers was answered bya resurrection of all the powers of the pit. The awakening of men's souls broughtwar, ecclesiastical and civil, a war of anathemas and a war of extermination.Swords flashed forth, flames were kindled ; Rome rose in its anger and its might,and did wondrously. She thundered excommunications, she slaughtered millions ;not without an awful struggle would the prince of darkness give up his kingdom.No! Look to it, you brave reformers ; you will need the armoury of heaven and itshelp, for the hosts of hell are roused against you. You may conquer, but it shall bethrough strife and anguish, and seas of blood.Draw up you confessions of faith, you blessed restorers of a pure gospel[Editor: good tidings] ; dare to give them to the world if you will, but you shallbe stoutly answered. Against your Confession of Augsburg Rome shall erect herCouncil of Trent : she shall formulate her canons and decrees ; she shall imposeher Creed of Pius IV., and utter her chorus of anathemas.