salvation . Great was the 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 , favoured and protected by the king .
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 in the Bible in a clear and simple manner , so that all men may understand them . Christ said , " My doctrine is not Mine , but His that sent Me " ( John 7:16 ); and Paul declared that should he preach any other gospel than that which he had received , he would be accursed ( Galatians 1:8 ). " How , then ," said the Reformer , " shall others presume to enact dogmas
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