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Protestantism in Poland and Bohemia - James Aitken Wylie

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Pope would do, <strong>and</strong> with more order <strong>and</strong> quiet,<br />

what the Poles wished to have done. How many<br />

score of times had this promise been made, <strong>and</strong><br />

when had it proved aught save a delusion <strong>and</strong> a<br />

snare? It served, however, as an excuse to the k<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

who refused to convoke the Synod which Alasco<br />

so much desired to see assemble. It was a great<br />

crisis. The Reformation had essayed to crown her<br />

work <strong>in</strong> <strong>Pol<strong>and</strong></strong>, but she was h<strong>in</strong>dered, <strong>and</strong> the<br />

fabric rema<strong>in</strong>ed unf<strong>in</strong>ished: a melancholy<br />

monument of the egregious error of lett<strong>in</strong>g slip<br />

those golden opportunities that are given to<br />

nations, which "they that are wise" embrace, but<br />

they that are void of wisdom neglect, <strong>and</strong> 'bewail<br />

their folly with floods of tears <strong>and</strong> torrents of blood<br />

<strong>in</strong> the centuries that come after.<br />

In January, 1560, John Alasco died, <strong>and</strong> was<br />

buried with great pomp <strong>in</strong> the Church of<br />

P<strong>in</strong>tzov.[22] After him there arose <strong>in</strong> <strong>Pol<strong>and</strong></strong> no<br />

Reformer of like adaptability <strong>and</strong> power, nor did<br />

the nation ever aga<strong>in</strong> enjoy so favorable an<br />

opportunity of plant<strong>in</strong>g its liberties on a stable<br />

foundation by complet<strong>in</strong>g its Reformation.[23]<br />

49

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