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humbler classes but exerting a widespread influence。 Naturally eloquent；
though possessing a limited education； he was a man of unwavering integrity；
of humble spirit and gentle manners； and of sincere and earnest piety；
exemplifying in his own life the precepts which he taught； and he commanded
the confidence of the people。 His followers were scattered and oppressed。
They suffered greatly from being confounded with the fanatical Munsterites。
Yet great numbers were converted under his labors。
Nowhere were the reformed doctrines more generally received than in the
Netherlands。 In few countries did their adherents endure more terrible
persecution。 In Germany Charles V had banned the Reformation； and he would
gladly have brought all its adherents to the stake； but the princes stood up
as a barrier against his tyranny。 In the Netherlands his power was greater；
and persecuting edicts followed each other in quick succession。 To read the
Bible； to hear or preach
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it； or even to speak concerning it； was to incur the penalty of death by the
stake。 To pray to God in secret； to refrain from bowing to an image； or to
sing a psalm； was also punishable with death。 Even those who should abjure
their errors were condemned； if men； to die by the sword； if women； to be
buried alive。 Thousands perished under the reign of Charles and of Philip
II。
At one time a whole family was brought before the inquisitors； charged with
remaining away from mass and worshiping at home。 On his examination as to
their practices in secret the youngest son answered： 〃We fall on our knees；
and pray that God may enlighten our minds and pardon our sins； we pray for
our sovereign； that his reign may be prosperous and his life happy； we pray
for our magistrates； that God may preserve them。〃Wylie； b。 18； ch。 6。 Some
of the judges were deeply moved； yet the father and one of his sons were
condemned to the stake。
The rage of the persecutors was equaled by the faith of the martyrs。 Not
only men but delicate women and young maidens displayed unflinching courage。
〃Wives would take their stand by their husband's stake； and while he was
enduring the fire they would whisper words of solace； or sing psalms to
cheer him。〃 〃Young maidens would lie down in their living grave as if they
were entering into their chamber of nightly sleep； or go forth to the
scaffold and the fire； dressed in their best apparel； as if they were going
to their marriage。〃Ibid。； b。 18； ch。 6。
As in the days when paganism sought to destroy the gospel； the blood of the
Christians was seed。 （See Tertullian； Apology； paragraph 50。） Persecution
served to increase the number of witnesses for the truth。 Year after year
the monarch； stung to madness by the unconquerable determination of the
people； urged on his cruel work； but in vain。 Under the noble William of
Orange the Revolution at last brought to Holland freedom to worship God。
In the mountains of Piedmont； on the plains of France and the shores of
Holland； the progress of the gospel was
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marked with the blood of its disciples。 But in the countries of the North it
found a peaceful entrance。 Students at Wittenberg； returning to their homes；
carried the reformed faith to Scandinavia。 The publication of Luther's
writings also spread the light。 The simple； hardy people of the North turned
from the corruption； the pomp； and the superstitions of Rome； to welcome the
purity； the simplicity； and the life…giving truths of the Bible。
Tausen； 〃the Reformer of Denmark；〃 was a peasant's son。 The boy early gave
evidence of vigorous intellect； he thirsted for an education； but this was
denied him by the circumstances of his parents； and he entered a cloister。
Here the purity of his life； together with his diligence and fidelity； won
the favor of his superior。 Examination showed him to possess talent that
promised at some future day good service to the church。 It was determined to
give him an education at some one of the universities of Germany or the
Netherlands。 The young student was granted permission to choose a school for
himself； with one proviso； that he must not go to Wittenberg。 The scholar of
the church was not to be endangered by the poison of heresy。 So said the
friars。
Tausen went to Cologne； which was then； as now； one of the strongholds of
Romanism。 Here he soon became disgusted with the mysticisms of the
schoolmen。 About the same time he obtained Luther's writings。 He read them
with wonder and delight； and greatly desired to enjoy the personal
instruction of the Reformer。 But to do so he must risk giving offense to his
monastic superior and forfeiting his support。 His decision was soon made；
and erelong he was enrolled as a student at Wittenberg。
On returning to Denmark； he again repaired to his cloister。 No one as yet
suspected him of Lutheranism； he did not reveal his secret； but endeavored；
without exciting the prejudices of his companions； to lead them to a purer
faith and a holier life。 He opened the Bible； and explained its true
meaning； and at last preached Christ to them as the sinner's righteousness
and his only hope of salvation。 Great was the
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wrath of the prior； who had built high hopes upon him as a valiant defender
of Rome。 He was at once removed from his own monastery to another and
confined to his cell under strict supervision。
To the terror of his new guardians several of the monks soon declared
themselves converts to Protestantism。 Through the bars of his cell Tausen
had communicated to his companions a knowledge of the truth。 Had those
Danish fathers been skilled in the church's plan of dealing with heresy；
Tausen's voice would never again have been heard； but instead of consigning
him to a tomb in some underground dungeon； they expelled him from the
monastery。 Now they were powerless。 A royal edict； just issued； offered
protection to the teachers of the new doctrine。 Tausen began to preach。 The
churches were opened to him； and the people thronged to listen。 Others also
were preaching the word of God。 The New Testament； translated into the
Danish tongue； was widely circulated。 The efforts made by the papists to
overthrow the work resulted in extending it； and erelong Denmark declared
its acceptance of the reformed faith。
In Sweden； also； young men who had drunk from the well of Wittenberg carried
the water of life to their countrymen。 Two of the leaders in the Swedish
Reformation； Olaf and Laurentius Petri； the sons of a blacksmith of Orebro；
studied under Luther and Melanchthon； and the truths which they thus learned
they were diligent to teach。 Like the great Reformer； Olaf aroused the
people by his zeal and eloquence； while Laurentius； like Melanchthon； was
learned； thoughtful； and calm。 Both were men of ardent piety； of high
theological attainments； and of unflinching courage in advancing the truth。
Papist opposition was not lacking。 The Catholic priest stirred up the
ignorant and superstitious people。 Olaf Petri was often assailed by the mob；
and upon several occasions barely escaped with his life。 These Reformers
were； however； favored and protected by the king。
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Under the rule of the Roman Church the people were sunken in poverty and
ground down by oppression。 They were destitute of the Scriptures； and having
a religion of mere signs and ceremonies； which conveyed no light to the
mind； they were returning to the superstitious beliefs and pagan practices
of their heathen ancestors。 The nation was divided into contending factions；
whose perpetual strife increased the misery of all。 The king determined upon
a reformation in the state and the church； and he welcomed these able
assistants in the battle against Rome。
In the presence of the monarch and the leading men of Sweden； Olaf Petri
with great ability defended the doctrines of the reformed faith against the
Romish champions。 He declared that the teachings of the Fathers are to be
received only when in accordance with the Scriptures； that the essential
doctrines of the faith are presented