Second advent library

M6 Lncrun x.and every writer of these times calls them the darkages; and truly it was an age of stiperstition, bigotry,and ignorance; therefore we must reasonably supposethat but few were the true worshippers of God, andthose few enjoying but a faint knowledge of divinethings. But we will pursue our course. "These thingssaith he that hath the sevenspirits of God, and theseven star-s,I know thy works, that thou hast a name,that thou livest, and nrt dead." The same characterthat has addressed the other churches, still gives himselfaquality by which we may know that it is he whois called God man, having the spirit of God, and as mangoveming his church as the star of Bethlehem. Thischurch began about the tenth century, and lasted untilthe Reformation under Luther, Calvin, and others.They had a name, were called Waldenses, Valdenses,&c.,"and art dead ;" that is, she was or wouldbe of little use to the rest of the world, hidin her induencewithin her ownsphere, and of course dig not manifesther light to the world, was inactive, idle, not performingthe work which God had commanded them toperform, to set their light on the candlestand, that itmight give lightto all.- This was the case with thechurch in the valleys of Piedmont durin the time of thecrusades to the Holy Land; and while time Pope had thecommand of all the armies of Europe, the church livedin these valleys of the Pyrenees, nearly in the centre ofEurope, unknowing and unknown.2d verse, "Be watchful, and strengthen the thingswhich remain, thatare read to die; for I have not foundthy works perfect before éod." Although the churchin this age retained some of the leading principles of thethe ordinances were in part retained amongdpspel, em, yet towards the close of this Sardis age, Pap5 themonks and priests- were sent in among them, and manyof the Waldenses became corrupted by the Papal beastand her doctrine. Therefore the admonition, " Be watchful,and strengthen the things which remain."3d verse, "Remember how thou hast received andheard, and hold that and repent. It, therefore, thoushalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief; and thou