Protestantism in Sweden and Denmark - James Aitken Wylie
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Sett<strong>in</strong>g to work, they prepared a paper<br />
exhibit<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> twelve articles the neglect, corruption,<br />
<strong>and</strong> oppression of the hierarchy. This document<br />
they published all over the k<strong>in</strong>gdom. It was<br />
followed by a proclamation from the k<strong>in</strong>g, say<strong>in</strong>g<br />
that, the "Div<strong>in</strong>e Word of the Gospel" should be<br />
freely <strong>and</strong> publicly preached, <strong>and</strong> that Lutherans<br />
<strong>and</strong> Romanists should enjoy equal protection until<br />
such time as a General Council of Christendom<br />
should meet <strong>and</strong> decide the question between them.<br />
From that time the Protestant confessors <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Denmark</strong> rapidly <strong>in</strong>creased <strong>in</strong> number. The temples<br />
were left <strong>in</strong> great degree without worshippers, the<br />
monasteries without <strong>in</strong>mates, <strong>and</strong> the funds<br />
appropriated to their support were withdrawn <strong>and</strong><br />
devoted to the erection of schools <strong>and</strong> relief of the<br />
poor. Of the monasteries, some were pulled down<br />
by the mob; for it was found impossible to restra<strong>in</strong><br />
the popular <strong>in</strong>dignation which had been awakened<br />
by the sc<strong>and</strong>als <strong>and</strong> crimes of which report made<br />
these places the scene. The monks marched out of<br />
their abodes, leav<strong>in</strong>g their cloaks at the door. Their<br />
hoards found vent by other <strong>and</strong> more useful<br />
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